Ancient Battle Analysis: Marathon's Clash with Persia - Historical Account by Herodotus
In the climactic moments of the Battle of Marathon, Herodotus bestows upon the Athenians a heroic treatment highly reminiscent of Homer's epic styles. The author masterfully crafts a narrative evocative of the Iliad, imbuing the proceedings with an aura of epic grandeur and impending tragic adventure.
Renowned scholar Dr. Christopher Pelling, Regius Professor of Greek Emeritus at the University of Oxford, eloquently dissects this in his analysis of the battle:
"It is late afternoon on the day of the battle. The result is no longer in doubt; most of the killing has already happened, and attention now turns to the harrying of the fleeing Persians. In this phase of the struggle, that of the ships, we witness a poignant death of another Athenian hero, Cynegirus.
Here again they [the Athenians, or perhaps the Athenians and Plataeans] were triumphant, chasing the routed enemy, and cutting them down until they came to the sea. It was in this phase of the struggle that the Athenian War Archon Callimachus was killed, fighting bravely, and also Stesilaus, the son of Thrasylaus, one of the generals; Cynegirus, too, the son of Euphorion, had his hand cut off with an axe as he was getting hold of a ship's stern, and so lost his life, together with many other well-known Athenians.
The heroic death of Cynegirus, the brother of Aeschylus, duly became a famous exemplum for later writers.
Nor is it just the fire that evokes the Iliad, nor even that thoroughly Homeric word κόπτω for 'to smite.' Hector too grasps a ship just as the Greeks do now (notice the repeated ἐπιλαμβάνεσθαι in Herodotus); Hector too will not let go, just as Cynegirus will not let go. And what both Hector and Cynegirus grasp is the ἄφλαστον, or several of them in Herodotus' odd plural. That is a very rare word indeed, translated by LSJ as 'curved poop of the ship' and by Janko as 'a carved stern-post': something similar is again visible on the Brescia sarcophagus.
Marathon, then, this most heroic of battles, is described with appropriate epic resonance."
Pelling illuminates the connection between Marathon and the Iliad by highlighting various tropes and motifs that echo Homer's epic. The intensity of the fighting, the dire stakes, valiant actions, and even the weaponry used—the mysterious ἄφλαστον—all speak to the author's deliberate creation of an epic atmosphere, transporting readers back to the golden age of Greek myth.
In a more subtle application of Homeric allusions, the extraordinary detail of Athenians calling for fire during the battle is reminiscent of scenes from the Iliad. Pelling suggests that this seemingly out-of-place demand for fire in ancient Greece served to underscore the depth of the Athenians' courage, as they faced the impossible odds, much like the Achaean heroes near the end of the Trojan War. Moreover, the recurring use of the word κόπτω for 'to smite,' another Homeric touch, reinforces the martial spirit of both the Iliad and the Battle of Marathon.
Understanding the Homeric influence on Herodotus' account offers insights into the author's literary ambition and profound empathy for his subjects. He sought not only to preserve the historical legacy of the great deeds of yore, but also to paint them in broad, inspiring strokes, imbuing readers with a sense of the heroic spirit of the past and inspiring them to carry that flame into the future. This masterful weaving of history and myth allowed him to achieve an intricate balance between the two genres, producing a gripping narrative that stands the test of time.
Despite Herodotus' apparent reverence for Homer, however, his storytelling occasionally diverges from the classic epic tradition. For example, the paradox of heroism in the world of the polis and the negative aspects of Greek freedom clearly underscore the message that even the greatest heroes can fall prey to the darker side of human nature and political machinations. This represents a departure from the unbridled heroism depictd in the Iliad, where stalwart heroes like Achilles and Hector remained steadfastly devoted to the cause of honor and glory.
By skillfully employing Homeric allusions and echoes, Herodotus pays careful homage to the father of Greek literature while reinventing the narrative of the Battle of Marathon in a sophisticated and thoughtful manner. The dramatic and moving scenes of valor, the pain of loss, and the timeless lessons about the complexities of individual and collective heroism capture the essence of this crucial event in Greek history and transports readers on a thrilling journey through time.
The scholar's analysis reveals that Herodotus, in his account of the Battle of Marathon, deliberately employs Homeric themes to create an epic atmosphere. This can be observed in the portrayal of intense fighting, valiant actions, and unconventional weaponry, such as the ἄφλαστον, which echoes the curved stern-post visible on the Brescia sarcophagus.
Furthermore, Herodotus' narrative subtly references the Iliad through the repeated call for fire during the battle, a gesture that underscores the valor of the Athenians as they faced overwhelming odds, mirroring the Achaean heroes near the end of the Trojan War.
In contrast to the unwavering heroism of characters like Achilles and Hector in Homer's writing, Herodotus' account of the Battle of Marathon offers a more nuanced portrayal of heroism, highlighting the paradox of individual heroism within the complexities of political machinations in the polis. This nuanced approach reveals Herodotus' profound debt to Homer while also demonstrating his innovative and thoughtful narrative style.
In addition to this historical account, modern scholars can draw parallels between the Battle of Marathon and contemporary topics. For example, the dynamics of leadership, finance, business, politics, general-news, and sports can be explored through the lens of the Athenians' resilience, unity, and strategic decision-making, providing valuable insights for today's world leaders and athletes.
