Marathon

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Marathon

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Â© The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Marathon in ancient Greece, the scene of a victory over the Persians in 490 bc; the modern marathon race (strictly one of 26 miles 38 yards or 42.195 km.) is based on the tradition that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens (22 miles) with the news, dying with the words ‘Greetings, we win!’ on his arrival. The original account by Herodotus told of the messenger Pheidippides running 150 miles from Athens to Sparta before the battle, seeking help.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Marathon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Marathon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (December 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Marathon.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Marathon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Retrieved December 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Marathon.html

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Marathon

Marathon , village and plain, ancient Greece, 20 mi (32 km) NE of Athens. Here the Athenians and Plataeans under Miltiades defeated a Persian army in 490 BC (see Persian Wars ).

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"Marathon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Marathon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Marathon.html

"Marathon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Marathon.html

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Marathon

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Â© A Dictionary of World History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Marathon A plain in eastern Attica, Greece, scene of a battle in 490 BC in which the Greeks under Miltiades defeated a much larger Persian army. The non-stop run of a courier named Pheidippides bringing the news to Athens has given the name to the race.

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"Marathon." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Marathon." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (December 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Marathon.html

"Marathon." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved December 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Marathon.html

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