Marathon, Greece - Definition and Overview

Marathon (Greek, Modern: Μαραθώνα Marathona or Marathonas, Ancient/Katharavousa: Μαραθών) is a town in Greece, the site of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, in which the Athenian army defeated the Persians. A legendary run of a messenger named Phidippides from Marathon to Athens, a distance of 26.2 miles, after the battle forms the basis for the modern-day marathon race. When the messenger arrived in Athens, he shouted "NENIKIKAMEN" (we did defeat) and died. Later for mourning Athens' soldiers, a mound was made. Today there is a park around this mound.

The sophist and official Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon.

It is one of the few municipality that borders only one municipality in Greece.

In the 1950s, the construction of a new dam which that part of the valley became Athens' water and hydro supply took years to complete. It flooded about 10 km² of land and devastated forests and it became Lake Marathon. It includes the passage of GR-83 with curvy roads in the west and a one-lane passace with a traffic light. Some of the classic Greek films were filmed, one for the dam and the other of the construction of the dam.

The beach is located southeast of the town centre.

Before the Olympics, north of Marathon had garbage over the side of the road and residents want it cleaned. It was cleaned right before the Olympics later.

In 2004, at the 2004 Summer Olympics Marathon was the starting point for both men and women marathon races.

The plain of Marathon today

Historical population

Other settlements include Limni Marathona which the population is only 16 in 1991.

See also

• List of municipalities of Attica, Communities of Attica