Marathon, Greece
Marathon (Demotic Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas; Attic/Katharevousa: Μαραθών, Marathṓn) is a town in Greece and the site of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, in which the heavily outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians. Legend has it that Pheidippides, a Greek herald at the battle, was sent running from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory, which is how the marathon running race was conceived in modern times. Today it is part of East Attica regional unit, in the outskirts of Athens and a popular resort town and center of agriculture.
History
Ruins of a Frankish tower near Marathon
The name "Marathon" (Μαραθών) comes from the herb fennel, called márathon (μάραθον) or márathos (μάραθος) in Ancient Greek, so Marathon literally means "a place full of fennel".
It is believed that the town was originally named so because of an abundance of fennel plants in the area.
In ancient times, Marathon (Ancient Greek: Μαραθών) occupied a small plain in the northeast of ancient Attica, which contained four places, Marathon, Probalinthus, Tricorythus, and Oenoe, which originally formed the Tetrapolis, one of the 12 districts into which Attica was divided before the time of Theseus. Here Xuthus, who married the daughter of Erechtheus, is said to have reigned; and here the Heracleidae took refuge when driven out of Peloponnesus, and defeated Eurystheus. The Marathonii claimed to be the first people in Greece who paid divine honours to Heracles, who possessed a sanctuary in the plain. Marathon is also celebrated in the legends of Theseus, who conquered the ferocious bull, which used to devastate the plain. Marathon is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey in a way that implies that it was then a place of importance. In mythology, its name was derived from an eponymous hero Marathon, who is described by Pausanias as a son of Epopeus, king of Sicyon, who fled into Attica in consequence of the cruelty of his father Plutarch calls him an Arcadian, who accompanied the Dioscuri in their expedition into Attica, and voluntarily devoted himself to death before the battle.
After Theseus united the 12 independent districts of Attica into one state, the name of Tetrapolis gradually fell into disuse; and the four places of which it consisted became Attic demi, Marathon, Tricorythus, and Oenoë belonging to the tribe Aeantis, and Probalinthus to the tribe Pandionis; but Marathon was so superior to the other three, that its name was applied to the whole district down to the latest times. Hence Lucian speaks of "the parts of Marathon about Oenoë".
Few places have obtained such celebrity in the history of the world as Marathon, on account of the victory which the Athenians here gained over the Persians in 490 BCE (Battle of Marathon). After Miltiades (the general of the Greek forces) defeated Darius' Persian forces, the Persians decided to sail from Marathon to Athens in order to sack the unprotected city. Miltiades ordered all his hoplite forces to march "double time" back to Athens, so that by the time Darius' troops arrived they saw the same Greek force waiting for them.
Although the name Marathon had a positive resonance in Europe in the nineteenth century, for some time that was sullied by the Dilessi murders, which happened nearby in 1870.
In the 19th century and beginning of twentieth century the village was inhabited by an Arvanite population.
Plain of Marathon
View of the
Lake Marathon
The sophist and magnate Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon. In 1926, the American company ULEN began construction on the Marathon Dam in a valley above Marathon, in order to ensure water supply for Athens. It was completed in 1929. About 10 km2 of forested land were flooded to form Lake Marathon.
Marathon battle memorial.
The beach of Schinias is located southeast of the town. The beach is popular as a spot for windsurfing and the Olympic Rowing Center used for the 2004 Summer Olympics is also located there. At the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympics, Marathon was the starting point of the marathon races (for both women and men in 2004). The area is susceptible to flash flooding, because of forest fires having denuded parts of the eastern slopes of Mount Penteli especially in 2006.
Municipality
The municipality Marathon was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 4 former municipalities, that became municipal units:
The municipality has an area of 222.747 km2, the municipal unit 97.062 km2.
Population
Year |
Town |
Municipal unit |
Municipality
|
1981 |
4,841 |
- |
-
|
1991 |
5,453 |
12,979 |
-
|
2001 |
4,399 |
8,882 |
-
|
2011 |
7,170 |
12,849 |
33,423
|
2021 |
5,260 |
10,063 |
31,331
|
The other settlements in the municipal unit are Agios Panteleimonas, Kato Souli, Vranas, Avra, Vothon, Ano Souli and Schinias.
Points of interest
The Soros, a burial mound (
Marathon tumuli) to the fallen of the
Battle of Marathon
- The Soros, a tumulus (Greek Τύμβος, tymbos, tomb), or burial mound, erected to the 192 Athenian fallen at the Battle of Marathon, is a feature of the coastal plain, now marked by a marble memorial stele and surrounded by a small park.
- Kato Souli Naval Transmission Facility with its 250-metre (820 ft) tall radio mast, the tallest structure in Greece.
Sister cities
See also
Notes and references
Notes
- ^ In modern Greek the sports event is called Marathonios Dromos (Μαραθώνιος Δρόμος) or simply Marathonios.
- ^ The Greek word for fennel is first attested in Mycenaean Linear B on tablets MY Ge 602, MY Ge 606 + fr., MY Ge 605 + 607 + frr. + 60Sa + 605b - as 𐀔𐀨𐀶𐀺, ma-ra-tu-wo.
References
- ^ Municipality of Marathon, Municipal elections – October 2023, Ministry of Interior
- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ μάραθον. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
- ^ "The Linear B word ma-ra-tu-wo". Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of Ancient languages. Raymoure, K.A. "ma-ra-tu-wo". Minoan Linear A & Mycenaean Linear B. Deaditerranean. Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2014-03-19. "MY 602 Ge (57)". "MY 606 Ge + fr. (57)". "MY 605 Ge + 607 + fr. 60Sa + fr. 605b + frr. (57)". DĀMOS: Database of Mycenaean at Oslo. University of Oslo.
- ^ Μαραθών in Liddell and Scott.
- ^ Strabo. Geographica. Vol. viii. p.383. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. sub voce Τετμάπολις.
- ^ Pausanias (1918). "15.3". Description of Greece. Vol. 1. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library., 1.35.4.
- ^ Plutarch, Thes. 14; Strabo. Geographica. Vol. ix. p. 399. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
- ^ Pausanias (1918). "27.10". Description of Greece. Vol. 1. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library.
- ^ Homer. Odyssey. Vol. 7.80.
- ^ Pausanias (1918). "1.1". Description of Greece. Vol. 2. Translated by W. H. S. Jones; H. A. Ormerod. Cambridge, Massachusetts; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann – via Perseus Digital Library., 2.6.5, 1.15.3, 1.32.4
- ^ Plutarch, Thes. 32.
- ^ Μαραθῶνος τὰ περὶ τὴν Οἰνόην, Icaro-Menip. 18.
- ^ Chase, Thomas, Hellas, her monuments and scenery, Sever and Francis, Cambridge, pp. 102–103
- ^ Hichens, The Near East, Dalmatia, Greece and Constantiople, Hodder and Stoght, London, 1913, p. 116.
- ^ Wallechinsky, David and Jaime Loucky (2008). "Track & Field (Men): Marathon". In The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press Limited. p. 133.
- ^ 2004 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Volume 2. p. 242.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
- ^ Aerial photograph in John Boardman, Jasper Griffin and Oswyn Murray, Greece and the Hellenistic World (Oxford History of the Classical World) 1988, vol. I p. 34.
Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Marathon". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
Bibliography
- Δεκουλάκου, Ιφιγένεια (2021). "Ανασκαφή στο ιερό των Αιγυπτίων θεών τον Μαραθώνα". Πρακτικά Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας. 176: 19–32.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Marathonas.
Places adjacent to Marathon, Greece |
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Subdivisions of the municipality of Marathon |
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Municipal units |
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Olympic venues in athletics |
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19th century |
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20th century |
- 1900: Croix-Catelan Stadium
- 1904: Francis Field
- 1908: White City Stadium
- 1912: Stockholm Olympic Stadium
- 1920: Olympisch Stadion
- 1924: Stade Yves-du-Manoir
- 1928: Olympic Stadium
- 1932: Olympic Stadium, Riverside Drive at Griffith Park
- 1936: Avus Motor Road, Olympic Stadium
- 1948: Empire Stadium
- 1952: Olympic Stadium
- 1956: Melbourne Cricket Ground
- 1960: Arch of Constantine, Raccordo Anulare, Stadio Olimpico, Via Appia Antica, Via Cristoforo Colombo
- 1964: Fuchu City, Karasuyama-machi, National Stadium, Sasazuka-machi, Shinjuku
- 1968: Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Zócalo
- 1972: Olympiastadion
- 1976: Montreal Botanical Garden, Olympic Stadium, Streets of Montreal
- 1980: Grand Arena, Streets of Moscow
- 1984: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Santa Monica College, Streets of Los Angeles, Streets of Santa Monica
- 1988: Seoul Olympic Stadium, Streets of Seoul
- 1992: Estadi Olímpic de Monjuïc, Marathon course, Mataró, Walking course
- 1996: Marathon course, Olympic Stadium, Walking course
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21st century |
- 2000: Marathon course, North Sydney, Olympic Stadium
- 2004: Marathon (city), Olympic Stadium, Panathenaic Stadium, Stadium at Olympia
- 2008: Beijing National Stadium, Olympic Green Promenade Walking course, Streets of Beijing Marathon course
- 2012: Marathon Course, Olympic Stadium
- 2016: Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, Pontal, Sambódromo
- 2020: Japan National Stadium, Odori Park
- 2024: Stade de France, Champs-Élysées
- 2028: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, Grand Park
- 2032: Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Alexandra Headland
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Olympic venues in cycling |
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19th century |
1896
Marathon (city), Neo Phaliron Velodrome
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20th century |
1900
Vélodrome de Vincennes
1904
Francis Olympic Field
1908
White City Stadium
1912
Liljeholmen, Mälaren
1920
Antwerp, Vélodrome d'Anvers Zuremborg
1924
Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Vélodrome de Vincennes
1928
Amsterdam, Olympic Stadium
1932
Los Angeles Avenue, Pacific Coast Highway, Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Vineyard Avenue
1936
Avus Motor Road, BSV 92 Field & Stadium
1948
Herne Hill Velodrome, Windsor Great Park
1952
Käpylä, Maunula, Pakila, Velodrome
1956
Broadmeadows, Velodrome
1960
Olympic Velodrome, Via Cassia, Via Flaminia, Via Cristoforo Colombo, Via di Grottarossa
1964
Hachioji City, Hachioji Velodrome
1968
Agustín Melgar Olympic Velodrome, Satellite Circuit
1972
Bundesautobahn 96, Grünwald, Radstadion
1976
Mount Royal Park, Olympic Velodrome, Quebec Autoroute 40
1980
Krylatskoye Sports Complex Cycling Circuit, Krylatskoye Sports Complex Velodrome, Moscow-Minsk Highway
1984
Artesia Freeway, Olympic Velodrome, Streets of Mission Viejo
1988
Olympic Velodrome, Tongillo Road Course
1992
A-17 highway, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Sant Sadurní Cycling Circuit, Velòdrom d'Horta
1996
Cycling road course, Georgia International Horse Park, Stone Mountain Park Archery Center and Velodrome
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21st century |
2000
Centennial Parklands, Dunc Gray Velodrome, Western Sydney Parklands
2004
Athens Olympic Velodrome, Kotzia Square, Parnitha Olympic Mountain Bike Venue, Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre
2008
Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue, Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, Laoshan Velodrome, Urban Road Cycling Course
2012
BMX Circuit, Hadleigh Farm, London Velodrome, Hampton Court Palace
2016
Fort Copacabana, Mountain Bike Centre, Olympic BMX Centre, Pontal, Rio Olympic Velodrome
2020
Izu Velodrome, Izu MTB Course, Fuji Speedway, Ariake Urban Sports Park
2024
Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Champs-Élysées, Élancourt Hill
2028
VELO Sports Center, Los Angeles Convention Center, Grand Park, Downtown Long Beach, Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
2032
Sunshine Coast Region, Alexandra Headland, Queensland, Sleeman Centre, Victoria Park
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International |
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National |
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Geographic |
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