Why did the Athenian army not fight the Persians at Marathon?

Why did the Athenian army not fight the Persians at Marathon?

The Athenians and their allies chose a location for the battle, with marshes and mountainous terrain, that prevented the Persian cavalry from joining the Persian infantry. Miltiades, the Athenian general, ordered a general attack against the Persian forces, composed primarily of missile troops.

What advantage did the Athenians have over their Persian enemies at the Battle of Marathon?

The Athenians gained self-confidence, pride and saw that the Persians could be beaten. It was also an inspirational for the Greeks and the victory would encourage them in future conflicts. The hoplite phalanx proved to be superior to the Persian forces.

Why did the Athenians win at Marathon?

Along with the tangible and strategic factors that propelled the Athenians to victory were several intangibles that factored in their favor, including their love of freedom and rights as citizens that they did not want to lose; the fear of what the Persians would do to their city and families if they were to lose the …

How did the Athenians win the battle of Marathon?

Most importantly, the Athenians were led by Miltiades, who proved to be a military genius. He picked the time and place to engage the Persians to nullify their numerical superiority, thereby giving the victory to Athens.

How did the Athenians defeat the Persian navy?

Battle of Salamis, (480 bc), battle in the Greco-Persian Wars in which a Greek fleet defeated much larger Persian naval forces in the straits at Salamis, between the island of Salamis and the Athenian port-city of Piraeus. The Battle of Salamis was the first great naval battle recorded in history. …

Why did the Spartans not fight at Marathon?

6. The Spartans were not at Marathon… Although the Spartans promised to send military aid to the Athenians, their laws stated they could only do so after the full moon had passed. Their aid thus arrived too late to help the Athenian army.

Who won the battle of Marathon during the Persian War?

Athenians
Battle of Marathon, (September 490 bce), in the Greco-Persian Wars, decisive battle fought on the Marathon plain of northeastern Attica in which the Athenians, in a single afternoon, repulsed the first Persian invasion of Greece.

How did the Battle of Marathon end Persian domination?

The Greek cities in Asia Minor eventually decided to throw off the Persian yoke. Through those revolts, the assistance of the Athenians and the ensuing Battle of Marathon, the wheels had been set in motion to end Persian domination. How did this sequence of events come to pass?

How did the Athenians respond to the Persians attack?

“The Athenians advanced at a run towards the enemy, not less than a mile away,” recounted the historian Herodotus. “The Persians, seeing the attack developed at the double, prepared to meet it, thinking it suicidal madness for the Athenians to risk an assault with so small a force — rushing in with no support from either cavalry or archers.”

How many Athenians were killed in the Battle of Marathon?

When the day was over, the Greeks had won one of history’s most famous victories, claiming to have killed about 6,400 Persians for the loss of only 192 Athenians. The Spartans eventually arrived, but only after the battle was long over.

What did the Greeks wear at the Battle of Marathon?

The Greeks held an advantage at Marathon in the equipment of their infantry. An Athenian hoplite carried a heavy, 9-foot spear, wore a solid breastplate and carried an almost body-length shield. The Persian infantryman, in contrast, wore little more than robes and carried a shorter sword and a wicker or cane shield.