The death of Pheidippedes

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

The legend may have acured from the fact the the whole Athenian army run "to the death" from Marathon to Athens emediately after the battle,to catch up the Persian fleet that prepared to attack the city. It must have been quite an exaustive march! Ironically,modern day marathon run is usually assiciated to that Pheidippides who died while saying "Nenikikamen" (We won). Pheidipides was a professional runner who did the distance Athens-Sparta in two days. The Soartan army did the distance Sparta-Marathon in four days(!) but they didn't catch up for the battle.
Khaire
Giannis