Marathon

how one battle changed Western civilisation
Richard Billows

‘It is a general principle about making movies that a battle on the screen is only as good as the buildup to the action. In laying out the histories of Greece and Persia immediately preceding the battle at Marathon, Billows follows this principle and the result is effective. This is no small feat considering the quantity, significance, and complexity of the events in discussion. Yet the opening chapters do not simply recap history, but set the stage for 490 BC. What comes across most strongly are the many changes, none of them inevitable, which the Athenians underwent in the time preceding Marathon which made victory possible … Billows' sections on early Athenian lawmaking and political life are especially good … Gladly, Dr. Billows' book is not laden with footnotes and excessive scholarly minutiae. Someone, even a non-expert and non-Classicist, can actually pick it up and read it and enjoy it.’

Apologia Pro Literati Vita Blog

‘Billows conceptualizes the fateful one-day battle between Persian Empire and the Athenian city-state with an engrossing narrative.’

Foreword Magazine

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‘The story's a classic: An outnumbered band of Athenians pushes back the mighty Persian army. But the battle of Marathon, 2,500 years ago in ancient Greece, left a legacy that extends far beyond the name of a famous race.’

National Public Radio

‘Even if you’re tough enough to survive the New York City Marathon, you’d probably have little chance to survive the original race in which Greek messenger Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. Historian Billows argues that Pheidippides’ run, which inspired the modern marathon race, introduced at the Athens Olympic Games of 1896, was a lot more challenging — a 280-mile round-trip jog to Sparta to ask for aid, with the entire Greek army in tow.’

New York Post

‘For anyone curious about one of the founding achievements of what became the great Athenian republic this is a cracker of a read.’

Stephen Matchett, The Weekend Australian

‘Acutely sensitive ... Billows, taking the long view, sees Marathon as preserving Athenian democracy and thus all that we think of as our classical heritage.’

Wall Street Journal

‘Great for those just starting to dip their toes into the world of ancient history. When trying to capture a sense of the ancient experience for a modern audience, Billows smartly compares phalanx warfare not to modern warfare, but that ... It is rather the experience of being in a huge crowd that gives way to commotion: a demonstration crowd, perhaps, confronting a formation of police and surging to and fro under police baton charges, or the water canon, or charges mounted police. A guide for those who might be curious about why a modern Olympic even is named after a long forgotten battle.’

Ancient Musings Blog

A fresh, gripping look at one of Western history’s defining moments

The inspiration for our modern-day marathon comes from the legend of Philippides, who is said to have run 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of the Greeks’ victory over the Persians. Yet the battle of Marathon has had a far greater impact; it can even be seen as the most significant moment in our collective history.

In this riveting account, Richard A. Billows re-creates the atmosphere of the times and captures the drama of the day of battle. He describes how 10,000 Athenian citizens managed an unthinkable victory over a Persian military force of 25,=""000"""

Apologia Pro Literati Vita Blog

‘Billows conceptualizes the fateful one-day battle between Persian Empire and the Athenian city-state with an engrossing narrative.’

Foreword Magazine

View all reviews

National Public Radio

New York Post

‘For anyone curious about one of the founding achievements of what became the great Athenian republic this is a cracker of a read.’

Stephen Matchett, The Weekend Australian

‘Acutely sensitive ... Billows, taking the long view, sees Marathon as preserving Athenian democracy and thus all that we think of as our classical heritage.’

Wall Street Journal

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size:

Extent:304pp

ISBN (13):9781921640995

RRP:$35.00

Pub date:28 Mar 2011

Rights Held: ANZ

High-res cover:Download Image

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Richard Billows

Richard A. Billows is a professor at Columbia University specialising in Ancient Greek and Roman history and Greek epigraphy. He is the author of Antigonos the One-Eyed and the Creation of the Hellenistic State, Kings and Colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism, and Julius Caesar: the colossus of Rome. He lives in New York City.

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Marathon

how one battle changed Western civilisation
Richard Billows

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