Posts: 46
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
Khairete,
We are all familiar with the story of Phidippides running the 26 miles to Athens in order to announce the victory.
Is his route known? I plan on running it.
Khairete,
-Aedon
Felix Lucini
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
I've heard there's some disagreement over the distance he ran from the battlefield to the city. However, it shouldn't be difficult to establish a route, I think Stefanos mentioned something about the modern routes from Marathon to Athens, on another thread,
I don't know if you're aware of it, but the modern "Marathon" is run over 26 miles and 325 yards ( I think that's right, when running it, I didn't stop to count!), the extra being added originally to make the finish line reach the Royal Grandstand, when the race was staged in Brighton.
I think it's a great idea to re-create it. Unfortunately, my Marathon days are over. Watch out for the effects of dehydration!
Posts: 46
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
Khaire paulaallen,
I guess I will just take whichever route is most scenic. Yeah, dehydration is a factor to be considered, especially on a hot Greek day! I don't have any equipment, so these are the sort of reenactments I do.
Do you remember what your marathon time was?
Khaire,
-Aedon
Felix Lucini
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
Helo Felix,
Yannis Kouros proved that Phidipedes story is not a Myth.
He started form Panathinaiko stadio in Athens and finished in central squre of Sparta in the statue of Leonidas in less than 48 hours.
If you google the name you will find pages in what ever language you want. His webpage is http://www.yianniskouros.com/
Phidipides was probaly jogging running and quickstepping at periods and had with him at least water or could get milk in the way from the locals. He could use the hospitality law and the herald's symbol as an aid if need be
He ran late August early September.
Please note that Greece is not a tropical country and the athlets did not face problems in Olympics 2004.
Only Spyros Louis and his fellow athlets in the 1896 Olympics run the Marathon when the terrain and route was similar to the one that Nikias run it while curring his shield in 11 September 490 B.C.
Kind regards
Posts: 46
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
Quote:He ran late August early September.
Please note that Greece is not a tropical country and the athlets did not face problems in Olympics 2004.
Only Spyros Louis and his fellow athlets in the 1896 Olympics run the Marathon when the terrain and route was similar to the one that Nikias run it while curring his shield in 11 September 490 B.C.
Kind regards
Khaire Hoplite,
Thanks for the information, I will be sure to run it at that time.
As for not being tropical, it is still very hot compared to where I come from. Especially if I am carrying a shield or something of equivilant wieght!
Khaire,
-Aedon
Felix Lucini
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
So plan to run it as close as possible to the original conditions!!
Good MAN!!!!
I wish you every success in you effort!
Kind regards
Posts: 46
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation:
0
Quote:So plan to run it as close as possible to the original conditions!!
Good MAN!!!!
I wish you every success in you effort!
Kind regards
Khaire Hoplite,
Thanks! It will be about a year and a half before I get to Greece, but running the original marathon has been a life goal for some time now.
Before I go, I will have to assemble the complete attire, so what all would he have had on or with him? I will do my best to acquire it (and a stopwatch). After I run it, I will post my time if I am still alive!
Khaire,
-Aedon
Felix Lucini
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
I am speculating, but Nikias after fighting a three hour battle he possibly drunk some water and discarded everything except his shield.
He needed to carry the shield as proof of victory.
(Defeated troops threw their shields in order to run away)
so he run the 42 Klm weighted by only 6 to 9 kgr depending on his shield
Kind regards.
Posts: 140
Threads: 6
Joined: Jun 2005
Reputation:
0
Aedon, There appears to be some confusion on this thread, Phidippides ran from Athens to Sparta in an attempt to secure Spartan help. The story of the individual run from Marathon to Athens only started in the 1st century, Herodotus actually makes no mention of an individual making the run from Marathon to Athens.
In reality it was more likely that the entire Greek army made the run back to Athens to beat the Persian fleet which had departed during the battle. Read Herodotus Book six, 103-116.
This said it could be assumed that the Greeks would have run back to Athens in full armour!, as after arrival they set up camp!
Feel like doing a marathon with an aspis, corinthian helmet, corslet and weapons!!!!!!, no, me neither.
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." Maya Angelou
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
The army did not make it running back to the city.
They quick marched in full armor at Kynosoura a place between Marathon and Sounio on the East cost of Attica. Depending on the route the distance is beteen 25 to 30 klm.
To summarise:
Fedipedes anarmored run from Athens to Sparta before the battle in 2 days.
Source is Herodotus.
Nikias carring probably only his shield run to Athens. Source is Plutarchos in life of Miltiades.
Kind regards
Thanks for the clarification, Stefanos. Many sources give ALL the running to Pheidippides - he ran to Sparta and back, fought at Marathon, ran to Athens, gasped the word "Victory" and died.
If Nikias carried his shield, he was practically doing a Marathon Hoplodromy.
Felix, I remember my Marathon time was slow! (just looked it up in my scrapbook - 3hrs. 29m. 25s.! Can't find any record of my other times, although I ran the distance six times.) Also, training on asphalt caused permanent knee damage and early-onset arthritis put paid to my hopes.
I did, however, run a 5km race several times after that in Viking armour - mailshirt, helmet, shield and sword. Carrying a shield is a real nuisance if there's a head- or side-wind!
What we could do is support Felix in his attempt, perhaps by marching the distance in full kit. We could start ahead of him and carry water for him, then act as escort.
If his plan comes to fruition, it could kick the Greek government into sponsoring a re-enactment event. It would certainly be hard to ignore!
Posts: 4,029
Threads: 90
Joined: May 2005
Reputation:
0
I cant promish the govenment but if Felix needs help I can do my best to aid him. If you are arround too Paul count me in.
Kind regads
Posts: 453
Threads: 19
Joined: Aug 2005
Reputation:
0
Quote:His webpage is http://www.yianniskouros.com/
Now, this guy is amazing! I think we should be able to trace his lineage back to Pheidippides. 
[size=75:wtt9v943]Susanne Arvidsson
I have not spent months gathering Hoplites from the four corners of the earth just to let
some Swedish pancake in a purloined panoply lop their lower limbs off! - Paul Allen, Thespian
[/size]
![[Image: partofE448.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/GloryofSparta/partofE448.jpg)
Posts: 237
Threads: 18
Joined: May 2002
Reputation:
0
Hi all,
The appearance of this thread is ironic. It occurred to me a few months ago that 2010 will be the 2500th anniversary of Marathon and a great time to re-enact the march from the battlefield to Athens. My wife even said she would play the worried spouse and stay in the city awaiting my return (for which read shopping) . I even had a lazy friend say he would play a Persian and say he could play dead for the time we marched or get a dinghy and race us to Athens (we are all unfit thirty somethings). The best aspect is that it gives us approximately 5 years to get publicity, plan the documentary and buy the kit!!!
Cheers
Murray
Murray K Dahm
Moderator
\'\'\'\'No matter how many you kill, you cannot kill your successor\'\'\'\' - Seneca to Nero - Dio 62
\'\'\'\'There is no way of correcting wrongdoing in those who think that the height of virtue consists in the execution of their will\'\'\'\' - Ammianus Marcellinus 27.7.9
I don't know whether Felix wants to wait that long! A run in the next couple of years could make a great "trailer" for a major event in 2010. If groups in other countries keep doing events each year, it would put a lot of pressure on the Greek authorities to support one at home in 2010.
I know Stefanos expects resistance to the idea, but he and the other Greek enthusiasts (Hoplites Mores, etc.) can act as a fifth column (or "Trojan Horse", one might say), while the rest of us strike from outside :twisted: . After all, they built the damn' ship, didn't they?
|
