Latin

Lines 1.29-1.32

Greek and Roman Historians, The Persian Wars 1.29-32

Not analysed yet

8. 3. 5. Aftereffects of the Battle of Marathon 
The symbolic importance of the battle of Marathon in 490 B. C. far outweighed its military significance. The defeat of his punitive expedition enraged Darius because it insulted his prestige, not because it represented any threat to the security of his kingdom. The Athenian men who comprised the city-state's army, on the other hand, had dramatically demonstrated their commitment to preserving their freedom by refusing to capitulate to an enemy whose reputation for power and wealth had made a disastrous Athenian defeat appear certain. The unexpected victory at Marathon gave an unparalleled boost to Athenian self-confidence, and the city-state's soldiers and leaders thereafter always boasted that they had stood fast before the feared barbarians even though the Spartans had not arrived in time to help them.
8. 4. The Great Invasion of 480-479 B. C. 
Their newly-won confidence heartened the Athenians to join the resistance against the gigantic Persian invasion which arrived in Greece in 480 B. C. Darius had vowed the invasion as revenge for the defeat at Marathon, but it took so long to marshall forces from all over the far-flung Persian kingdom that he died before it could be launched. His son, Xerxes I (*486-465) led the massive invasion force of infantry and ships against the Greek mainland. So huge was Xerxes' army, the Greeks later claimed, it required seven days and seven nights of continuous marching to cross the Hellespont strait between Anatolia and the Greek mainland on a temporary bridge lashed together from boats and pontoons. Xerxes expected the Greek states simply to surrender without a fight once they realized the size of his forces. Many of them did, especially the ones in northern Greece along the route of the Persian army's march. A coalition of thirty-one Greek states decided to fight, however, with the Spartans chosen as leaders because they constituted Greece's most formidable hoplite army.

Latin

Lines 1.29-1.32

Greek and Roman Historians, The Persian Wars 1.29-32

Not analysed yet

8. 3. 5. Aftereffects of the Battle of Marathon 
The symbolic importance of the battle of Marathon in 490 B. C. far outweighed its military significance. The defeat of his punitive expedition enraged Darius because it insulted his prestige, not because it represented any threat to the security of his kingdom. The Athenian men who comprised the city-state's army, on the other hand, had dramatically demonstrated their commitment to preserving their freedom by refusing to capitulate to an enemy whose reputation for power and wealth had made a disastrous Athenian defeat appear certain. The unexpected victory at Marathon gave an unparalleled boost to Athenian self-confidence, and the city-state's soldiers and leaders thereafter always boasted that they had stood fast before the feared barbarians even though the Spartans had not arrived in time to help them.
8. 4. The Great Invasion of 480-479 B. C. 
Their newly-won confidence heartened the Athenians to join the resistance against the gigantic Persian invasion which arrived in Greece in 480 B. C. Darius had vowed the invasion as revenge for the defeat at Marathon, but it took so long to marshall forces from all over the far-flung Persian kingdom that he died before it could be launched. His son, Xerxes I (*486-465) led the massive invasion force of infantry and ships against the Greek mainland. So huge was Xerxes' army, the Greeks later claimed, it required seven days and seven nights of continuous marching to cross the Hellespont strait between Anatolia and the Greek mainland on a temporary bridge lashed together from boats and pontoons. Xerxes expected the Greek states simply to surrender without a fight once they realized the size of his forces. Many of them did, especially the ones in northern Greece along the route of the Persian army's march. A coalition of thirty-one Greek states decided to fight, however, with the Spartans chosen as leaders because they constituted Greece's most formidable hoplite army.