Marathon Mini series: 05 The First Marathon Run

Welcome to this bonus instalment of episodes for January. The Marathon mini series has been apart of the members episodes over on Patreon. For the month of January I have decided to make this series of 5 episodes available to all to say thank you for all the support over the year. Get in and listen when you can as they will go back to Patreon only at the start of February.Step into the past with us as we unfurl the mysteries of the ancient Battle of Marathon, a clash that shaped our history and sparked the creation of one of the world's most enduring athletic challenges. Will the true story of the first Marathon runner stand the test of time, or is it merely a fable woven by historians? In the heart of the episode, we dissect the legendary confrontation between the Athenians and Persians, analyzing their military tactics and the haunting void left by the missing Persian cavalry. We recount the Athenian victory, a chaotic battle at the shore, and the meticulous casualty reports from Herodotus, all while chasing the ghost of the fabled Marathon runner through the narratives of Plutarch and Lucian.Probe the depths of historical authenticity with us as we scrutinize the tales spun by ancient biographers, measuring their penchant for drama against Herodotus's grounded chronicles. Could the staggering endurance of a lone herald or an entire army on the march back to Athens be more than a legend? Our exploration goes beyond the celebrated victory to peer into the life of Miltiades, the strategic genius behind the Greek triumph. Join us on this journey through time as we tackle the challenges of piecing together truth from antiquity, leaving no stone unturned in our quest to separate fact from centuries-old fiction.Support the show