MARA.THON (ante), was named from the hero 3Iarathos, and known in Homer's time. Here legend relates that Eurystheus was overcome by the Heraclidm and Iolaus, and here took place the contest of Theseus and the bull. -When Pisistratns was driven from Athens to Eubcea, Marathon was the first place occupied by him on his return. On the day of the great battle the Persian forces were under the command of Datis and Artaphernes, while Miltiades had eleven generals under his orders. Ancient writers "liffer widely in their estimate of the numbers of the invading forces. Plato declares that there were 500,000 in all; Trogus Pompeius. 600,000, but Cornelius Nepos says that of the effective force, there were 100,000 foot soldiers, and 10,000 cavalry. This last testimate is probably near the truth, as it agrees closely with the statement of Herodotus that the whole force WaS transported in 600 triremes, each carrying 200 men. All wri ters agree that the Greeks numbered about 10,000; so it is safe to say that they were outnumbered at least ten to one. They were niaterially assisted, however, by their slaves, who are not included in the 10,000. The result of the battle was due to the rigid.
discipline of the Greeks, in comparison with whom the Persians were but an unruly mob, and to the military genius of MiWades. Of the 10 generals, 5 were opposed to giving battle, and the deciding vote of the polemarch was given at Miltiades's urgent persuasion. Each general in succession held the chief command for one day, and it was so arranged that the battle should take place on the day -when Miltiades was in command. 'the Persians lost about 6,400 men; while of the Athenians only 192 fell. Among them, however, was the polemarch Callimachus, Stresbius, one of the generals, and several men of high rank. Remains of the weapons used in the contest are still to‘ be found on the field. Two mounds or tumuli were erected in the center of the plain, one commemorating the valor of the Athenians who perished, and setting forth their naines and rank on carved pillars, and the other raised for the Platmans and slaves_ The remains of these tombs, and of the uaarble trophies erected, may still be seen.