Marathon and Thermopylae
Describe the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae as moments when Greek city-states united against the invading Persian Empire — the runner Pheidippides bringing news of victory at Marathon (origin of the marathon race), and the heroic stand of 300 Spartans at Thermopylae — and understand these wars were fought to defend Greek independence
What a learner can do afterwards
- Retell the story of the Battle of Marathon and the runner Pheidippides
- Describe the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against a much larger Persian army
- Explain that the Persian Wars were about Greek city-states defending their freedom
The lesson
You already know that Athens and Sparta usually competed with each other. But when a huge empire called Persia tried to conquer Greece, city-states across the land joined forces to fight back. This time became known as the Persian Wars, and two battles from it are still famous today: Marathon and Thermopylae.
At the Battle of Marathon, a smaller Greek army from Athens defeated a much bigger Persian force on a flat plain near the sea. A runner named Pheidippides ran about 26 miles from Marathon all the way to Athens to bring news of the victory. This is why long foot races today are called marathons.
A few years later, the Persians invaded again with an enormous army. King Leonidas of Sparta led just 300 Spartan warriors, along with other Greek allies, to block a narrow mountain pass at Thermopylae. For days, this small force held back the much larger Persian army, even though they were eventually defeated.
Winning every battle is not the only way to be brave. The stand at Thermopylae slowed the Persians down and inspired the rest of Greece to keep fighting for their freedom.
Marathon and Thermopylae show how Greek city-states united to defend their freedom against Persia, and their courage is still remembered today.
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