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How Did the Athenians Win the Battle of Marathon

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Finally, the average Greek soldier was better armed than even the elite warriors of the Persian army. The average Greek soldiers, known as hoplites, were well equipped with large shields, bronze helmets, bronze plate corselets, and metal greaves to protect the shins and calves. Their primary weapon was a long thrusting spear they used in the <i>phalanx</i> shield wall, and they also carried daggers for close-quarter combat. <ref>Sage, p. 26</ref> In contrast, the “Immortals,” who were the elite soldiers of the Persian army, were equipped with quilted corselets, wicker shields, and carried spears and bows. <ref> Sage, p. 90</ref> Essentially, the Persians were outgunned, which was a major reason why nearly 7,000 of their men were killed versus only about 200 Greeks.

====Conclusion====The Battle of Marathon was one of the most important battles in the ancient world, if not in all of history because it temporarily stopped the westward expansion of the Achaemenid Persian Empire and gave the allied Greek city-states a rallying cry. Although the Athenians and their Plataean allies were outnumbered at Marathon, they won a decisive tactical and moral victory for several reasons. The Greeks fought harder than their Persian opponents because they had their freedom to lose and the fear of what the Persians would do to their city and families for their involvement in the Ionian Revolt. 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.

====References====

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