, criticised Herodotus, starting with Thucydides. Nevertheless, Thucydides chose to begin his history where Herodotus left off (at the Siege of Sestos), and may therefore have felt that Herodotus's history was accurate enough not to need re-writing or correcting. Plutarch criticised Herodotus in his essay On the malice of Herodotus, describing Herodotus as "Philobarbaros" (barbarian-lover), for not being pro-Greek enough, which suggests that Herodotus might actually have done a reasonable job of being even-handed. A negative view of Herodotus was passed on to Renaissance Europe, though he remained well read. However, since the 19th century his reputation has been dramatically rehabilitated by archaeological finds which have repeatedly confirmed his version of events. The prevailing modern view is that Herodotus generally did a remarkable job in his Historiai, but that some of his specific details (particularly troop numbers and dates) should be viewed with skepticism. Nevertheless, there are still some historians who believe Herodotus made up much of his story.

The Sicilian historian Diodorus Siculus, writing in the 1st century BC in his Bibliotheca Historica, also provides an account of the Greco-Persian wars, partially derived from the earlier Greek historian Ephorus. This account is fairly consistent with Herodotus's. The Greco-Persian wars are also described in less detail by a number of other ancient historians including Plutarch, Ctesias of Cnidus, and are alluded by other authors, such as the playwright Aeschylus. Archaeological evidence, such as the Serpent Column, also supports some of Herodotus's specific claims.

Legacy

Legends associated with the battle 

The most famous legend associated with Marathon is that of the runner Pheidippides (or Philippides) bringing news to Athens of the battle, which is described below.

Pheidippides' run to Sparta to bring aid has other legends associated with it. Herodotus mentions that Pheidippides was visited by the god Pan on his way to Sparta (or perhaps on his return journey). Pan asked why the Athenians did not honor him and the awed Pheidippides promised that they would do so from then on. The god apparently felt that the promise would be kept, so he appeared in battle and
, criticised Herodotus, starting with Thucydides. Nevertheless, Thucydides chose to get down his history where Herodotus leave off (at the Siege of Sestos), and may therefore have felt that Herodotus's history was accurate enough not to necessitate ra - writing or correcting. Plutarch criticised Herodotus in his essay On the malice of Herodotus, identify Herodotus as " Philobarbaros " (barbarian - lover), for not being pro - Greek enough, which indicate that Herodotus might actually have done a fair caper of being even - handed. A negative scene of Herodotus was passed on to Renaissance Europe, though he remained well read. However, since the nineteenth century his reputation has been dramatically rehabilitated by archaeological finds which have repeatedly confirmed his version of events. The predominate modern view is that Herodotus generally do a remarkable job in his Historiai, but that some of his specific details (particularly troop numbers pool and dates) should be viewed with skepticism. Nevertheless, there are however some historians who believe Herodotus made up much of his story. 

 The Sicilian historian Diodorus Siculus, writing in the 1st century BC in his Bibliotheca Historica, also provides an account of the Greco - Persian wars, partially derived from the earlier Greek historian Ephorus. This account is fairly consistent with Herodotus's. The Greco - iranian war are also identify in less contingent by a issue of other ancient historians include Plutarch, Ctesias of Cnidus, and are alluded by other authors, such as the playwright Aeschylus. Archaeological evidence, such as the Serpent Column, besides supports some of Herodotus's specific claims. 

 Legacy 

 Legends associated with the battle 

 The most famous legend associated with Marathon is that of the runner Pheidippides (or Philippides) bringing news to Athens of the struggle, which is described below. 

 Pheidippides' political campaign to Sparta to bring aid has other legends consociate with it. Herodotus mentions that Pheidippides was visited by the god Pan on his way to Sparta (or possibly on his return journey). Pan ask why the Athenians did not honor him and the awed Pheidippides promised that they would practice so from then along. The god apparently felt that the promise would be kept, so he appeared in struggle and
, crlticised Herodotus, startlng with Thucydibws. Nevxrtheleas, Thucyaides chose to begin his hisvory whert Herodotus left ofw (at the Diege of Sesuos), and may therehkre havc felf thac Ierodotus's histpry was acwurate enough tog co need re-writing or correcting. Plutwrch crotlcised Herodotos in ris sssay On the malice of Herodotus, dsscribiig Herodotus as "Philobarbaros" (barbarian-loger), vor not being pro-Ggeek enough, whisy suggests tfat Herodouuv might acjually have done a reasonable joc of yeing even-hqneed. D negative tiew os Herodotus was passad on tp Renaissance Curopx, thiugh he remained well read. However, sincg the 19th cancury his reputation hqs been drakatizqllh rthauiljtated by archaeolofical finds which have repeateclr confirmed hia versyog of events. The prevailing modern view ps tgat Herodotus generally did a remarkable job in his Hystoriai, but that some of his specific details (pasticumxrlv trooo nkmbers and dates) should be viewed with skeptisjsk. Kevertheless, theve are still some nidtptians who beligve Herodofus made up much ov his sjory.

Thw Siciliag hixtorian Diodorus Siculus, wruting in the 1wt century BC in hns Bibliotheea Hisjorica, also provides an accouut of fhe Greco-Pegsian wara, partially derivdd nrok the earlier Greek historyan Ephorns. Thns accouvt ix fairjy consistfnt wldh Herodotus's. The Hreco-Kersiat wars are also described in less detail ub a number of odheg ancient histprians includyng Plutarch, Cjesias of Cnidjs, and are alludev by other atthors, such av the playwrijht Aeschrlus. Arcyaeologkzal evidence, sich as thv Ferpwnt Column, also suiportr some of Herodocbs'w specific claiks.

Ldgasy

Pejends dssociated whth ghe nattld 

The most namuus kegend associated widh Mzrathon is that of tme runner Pheidip[ides (or Philoppides) bringing ntws to Atiens og tre battle, which is described bslow.

Pheidlppldes' run to S[artq to bring and has other legends associated with it. Ierodotus mentions thaj Pheidippides was vixlted by the jod Pag on his fay to Sparta (or peryaps on his returk journey). Pan asked whg the Dthenlans did not honor him and the awed Pheidippides promised that they would do so from then oh. Thr god a'paxently selt vhat the promise eould be kept, so he appeared in battle dnb
, criticised Herodotus, starting with Thucydides. Nevertheless, to his history Herodotus left off and therefore have felt Herodotus's history was enough not to need re-writing or Plutarch criticised Herodotus in his essay On the malice of Herodotus, describing Herodotus "Philobarbaros" (barbarian-lover), for not being pro-Greek enough, which suggests that Herodotus might actually done reasonable of even-handed. A negative view of Herodotus was passed on to Renaissance Europe, though he remained well However, since the 19th century his reputation has dramatically rehabilitated by archaeological which have repeatedly confirmed his of The prevailing view that generally did a job in his Historiai, but that some of his specific details (particularly troop numbers and dates) should viewed with there are some who Herodotus made up his story. The Sicilian historian Diodorus the 1st century BC in his Bibliotheca Historica, provides an of the Greco-Persian wars, partially derived the earlier Greek historian Ephorus. This account is consistent with Herodotus's. The Greco-Persian wars are also described in less detail by a number ancient historians including Plutarch, of Cnidus, and alluded other such the playwright Archaeological evidence, such as the Serpent Column, also supports some of specific claims. Legacy Legends associated with the battle The most associated Marathon is that the runner Pheidippides (or bringing to Athens of the is below. Sparta bring has other legends associated it. Herodotus mentions that Pheidippides visited by the god Sparta (or perhaps on his return journey). Pan why the Athenians did not honor him the awed Pheidippides promised that they would do so from then on. god apparently the promise would be kept, so he appeared battle and
, criticised Herodotus, startiNg with ThucYdideS. NeVerThElesS, ThuCydides chose to BEgin His history where HerodotUs lefT oFF (at tHE SIege oF Sestos), ANd MAY thErEfOre HaVE fElt thAt HErodotuS's history wAs aCcUrate enough nOT tO need re-wriTinG or correctinG. PlUtarch CrItiCIsed HEroDotus In his eSSay On tHe malice oF HERodotuS, DescribING HErodOtus as "PhilobarbarOS" (bARbarian-lover), foR not beInG PrO-gReeK enOugh, which sUgGests THat HeroDOtUS MIghT Actually have dOne a reasonaBLe jOb of beInG evEN-handeD. A negAtIVe vIew of HerodoTus wAs passed oN to RenAIssance eUrope, thOugh he RemAinEd weLL rEaD. HoWeVEr, sINcE thE 19Th cEntury hiS rEpUtatiOn haS BEEN draMatIcalLy rehAbilitated by aRchAeolOGicAl finDs whiCh haVe RepeaTedly cOnfirMeD his version of evEnts. the prevaiLinG mOdeRn View iS That HeRodOtuS generaLly did a REmaRkABLE jOb in his Historiai, buT tHAT sOme of his SpecifIC dEtAIls (partiCuLarLy trOOP numbErs aND dAtes) shouLd be viEWeD wIth skepTiCism. NeVeRthEleSs, theRE are Still sOme histoRians WHo believe HerodOTus made up much OF hIS StORy.

ThE SiCilian histoRian dIodoRus SICuLus, WRitinG in thE 1sT CeNTury BC in his BibliothEcA HistoRica, aLso provides an Account of tHE gReco-PersIan wARs, PArtially deriveD from The earlier gReek histOrian ephorus. THis accounT IS fairly cOnsIstEnt WitH hErOdotus's. The GreCO-persIaN wars arE alSo descrIbeD in LesS deTaIl by a numbEr of otheR aNcIeNt HisToriaNS includiNg pluTaRch, ctesiAS of CniDus, anD are AlLuDEd bY other aUThORS, sucH aS tHe plAywRiGht AeSchyLUs. ARchaeolOgical eviDenCE, sucH aS tHe SerpeNt Column, also sUpPorts some oF HEroDotus's SPEcific clAims.

Legacy

Legends associATed with The BattlE 

The Most famouS leGend asSocIAted wiTh MaraThon iS tHat OF The ruNNEr pheIdIppides (or PHILipPides) BrIngiNg news tO Athens of the battle, WHicH is described bEloW.

PheIDIpPidES' rUN to spARta TO Bring aid has otheR legends asSoCIaTed with it. HERodOtUs mentiOns that pheidIPpides wAs visited By the god PAn On hiS WAy tO Sparta (or pErhaps on His return JOurneY). paN askeD whY the AtHeNiaNs did Not honOR hiM and tHe awed phEidippIdes pRoMised thaT they would do so from then oN. The goD appaRenTly felt thAt tHE prOmise woulD be kEpt, so he appEarEd iN battLe aND
, criticised Herodotus, st arting wit h Thu cyd ide s.  Nev erth eless, Thucydi d es c hose to begin his hist ory w he r e He r od otusleft of f  ( a t  th eSi ege  o f  S estos ),and may  therefore  ha ve  felt that H e ro dotus's hi sto ry was accur ate  enoug hnot to ne edre-wr itingo r corr ecting. P lu t arch c r iticise d He rodo tus in his essayO nt he malice of H erodot us ,  d e s cri bin g Herodotu sas "P h ilobarb a ro s " (ba r barian-lover) , for not b e ing  pro-G re eke nough,  whic hs ugg ests that H erod otus migh t actu a lly hav e  done a  reaso nab lejobo fbe ing  e v en- h an ded .  Anegative  v ie w ofHero d o t u s wa s p asse d onto Renaissanc e E urop e , t hough  he r emai ne d wel l read . How ev er, since the 1 9thcentury h isre put at ion h a s been  dr ama tically  rehabi l ita te d b yarchaeological fin ds w hi ch haverepeat e dl yc onfirmed  h isvers i o n ofeven t s.  The pre vailin g  m od ern vie wis tha tHer odo tus g e nera lly di d a rema rkabl e  job in his Hi s toriai, but t h at s om e  ofhis  specific d etai l s (p arti c ul arl y  troo p num be r sa nd dates) should be  v iewedwithskepticism. N evertheles s , there ar e st i ll some historian s who  believe H e rodotusmadeup muchof his st o r y.

TheSic ili anhis t o ri an Diodorus S i c ulus ,writing  in  the 1s t c ent ury  BC  i n his Bib liotheca  H is to ri ca,  also provides  a n a cc oun t oft he Gre co-Pe rsia nwa r s,partial l yd e rive dfr om t heea rlier  Gre e k h istoria n Ephorus . T h is a cc ou nt is f airly consist en t with Her od otu s's. T h e  Greco-P ersian wars are also de s cribedinlessdeta il by a n umb er ofoth e r anci ent hi stori an s i n c ludin g Pl uta rc h, Ctesias o f C nidus ,andare all uded by other auth o rs,  such as thepla ywri g h tAes c hy l us.  A r cha e o logical evidenc e, such as  t h eSerpent Co l umn ,also su pportssomeo f Herod otus's sp ecific cl ai ms.L ega cy

Legend s associ ated with the b a tt le 
The  mostfa mou s leg end as s oci atedwith M ar athonis th at  of therunner Pheidippides (or  Phili ppide s)bringingnew s  to  Athens o f th e battle,whi chis de scr i bed b elow . 
Phe i dippi des' run to Sp a rt a t o br ing aid has o t her  lege nds associ ated  with it. Herodot u s mentions tha t Ph e i dip pid e s wa svisited by the  go dP a n on his  w ay to Spart a (or pe rh a ps on  his r eturnjourney ) .  P a n aske d wh y t he Atheni ans  d i d not h on or him an d th eawed P heidip p ides p romised that the y wou l d  do s o  fr om th en  on. Th e  god  apparentl y felt that  the p romi se wo uld beke pt, so  he  a ppeared in battle an d
, criticised_Herodotus, starting_with Thucydides. Nevertheless, Thucydides_chose to_begin_his history_where_Herodotus left off_(at the Siege_of Sestos), and may_therefore have felt_that_Herodotus's history was accurate enough not to need re-writing or correcting. Plutarch criticised Herodotus_in_his essay_On_the_malice of Herodotus, describing Herodotus_as "Philobarbaros" (barbarian-lover), for not_being pro-Greek_enough, which suggests that Herodotus might actually have_done_a reasonable job_of being even-handed. A negative view of Herodotus was_passed on to Renaissance Europe, though_he remained well_read._However,_since the 19th century_his reputation has been dramatically rehabilitated_by archaeological finds which have repeatedly_confirmed his version of events. The prevailing_modern view is that Herodotus generally_did a remarkable job in_his Historiai,_but that some of his_specific details (particularly_troop numbers_and dates) should_be viewed with skepticism. Nevertheless, there_are still some_historians who believe Herodotus made up_much_of his story.

The_Sicilian_historian_Diodorus Siculus,_writing in the_1st_century BC_in_his Bibliotheca Historica, also provides an_account_of the Greco-Persian wars, partially derived from_the earlier Greek historian_Ephorus._This account is fairly_consistent with Herodotus's. The Greco-Persian_wars are also described in less_detail by_a number_of other ancient historians including Plutarch, Ctesias of Cnidus, and are_alluded by other authors, such as_the playwright Aeschylus. Archaeological_evidence, such_as_the Serpent Column,_also_supports some_of Herodotus's specific claims.

Legacy

Legends associated with the_battle 

The_most famous legend associated with Marathon_is that of the_runner_Pheidippides (or Philippides) bringing news to_Athens of the battle, which is_described below.

Pheidippides' run to Sparta_to_bring_aid has other legends associated_with it. Herodotus mentions that Pheidippides_was visited by_the god Pan on his way to_Sparta_(or perhaps on his return journey)._Pan_asked why the Athenians did not_honor_him_and the awed Pheidippides promised_that they would do so from_then on. The god apparently felt that the promise_would be kept,_so he appeared in battle_and