Battle of Marathon: How the Greeks Defeated the Persian Empire | 490 BC

The Battle of Marathon in 490 BC was one of the most famous battles of the Greco-Persian Wars. How did Athens stop the Persian invasion — and change the course of Greek history? In 490 BC, King Darius I of Persia sent an invasion force across the Aegean Sea. The Persian army landed on the plain of Marathon, threatening Athens itself. Standing against them was an Athenian army led by commanders including Miltiades. Rather than wait for the Persians to make the next move, the Greeks advanced across the plain of Marathon. Their formation was unusual. The Greek center was thinner, while greater strength was placed on the wings. When the armies collided, the Persians initially pushed against the Greek center. But on both wings, the Greeks drove their opponents backward before turning inward against the Persian center. The Persian forces were eventually driven back toward their ships. Athens had survived the Battle of Marathon. But the victory did not end the conflict between Greece and Persia. Ten years later, the Persian Empire returned with a vastly larger invasion under a new king: Xerxes. That invasion would lead to Thermopylae, Salamis and Plataea — battles that would define the next chapter of the Greco-Persian Wars. This cinematic historical documentary tells the story of the Battle of Marathon, Miltiades, Athens, the Persian invasion of Greece, and the origins of the conflict that would eventually bring Xerxes and his enormous army into Greece. If you enjoy cinematic stories about Ancient Greece, the Persian Empire, famous battles, military history and ancient warfare, subscribe for the complete Greco-Persian Wars series. Watch the full series: Marathon → Thermopylae → Salamis → Plataea #BattleOfMarathon #AncientGreece #GrecoPersianWars