The Battle of Marathon
The Persian fleet lands at Marathon to punish Athens. The Athenian generals are divided on whether to fight. Miltiades persuades the polemarch Callimachus that if Athens submits, Greece is lost; if they fight, they can become the first city of Greece. They wait for Miltiades' day of command, then attack at a run across nearly a mile of ground. The Persians think them mad. The center breaks, but both wings win; the Athenians wheel inward and crush the Persian center. 6,400 Persians die; 192 Athenians. The Persians sail for Athens, but the army marches back in time to prevent a landing. The Spartans arrive a day late.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Explains why the Persians came: to punish Athens for supporting the Ionian revolt
Cause & Consequence
Explains why Persians thought the Athenians mad to charge: no cavalry, no archers
Meaning
Discusses the importance of Miltiades' decision to fight rather than wait
Evidence
Cites a specific passage from the text (Miltiades' speech, the charge, the casualties)
Defense
Maintains or thoughtfully revises their position under challenge
How It Works
Your AI tutor will guide you through this text using the Socratic method. Instead of giving you answers, it asks questions that help you discover the meaning for yourself.
- 1.Read the text carefully
- 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
- 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
Free to try. No credit card required.