Welcome to this bonus instalment of episodes for January. The Marathon mini series has been apart of the members episodes over on Patreon. For the month of January I have decided to make this series of 5 episodes available to all to say thank you for all the support over the year. Get in and listen when you can as they will go back to Patreon only at the start of February.

Discover the pivotal moments and shrewd manoeuvres that carved the path to victory for the Greeks at the Battle of Marathon. Our exploration is not just a retelling of a historic clash but a careful dissection of the choices and tensions that tipped the scales in an epic confrontation. We unravel the strategic hesitations among the Greek generals and the persuasive power of General Miltiades’ words that propelled the Athenians into decisive action. Together, we'll traverse the craggy landscape of Marathon Bay, probing into the Persian camp's strategic placement and the impact of their absent cavalry on the battle's outcome—questioning not only the historical records but the very tactics that defined ancient warfare.

As we scrutinize the layouts of the Greek and Persian forces, the reasoning behind the Athenians' risky placement with mountains at their backs becomes a central enigma. Engage with us in a critical analysis of the battle lines, drawing from the theories that have the Greeks anchoring their right flank by the shore, while the Persians positioned their left, setting the stage for a battle with no easy escape. We sift through alternative narratives and highlight how historical texts from Herodotus to Pausanias may have influenced our modern understanding of these ancient tactics. And as we prepare for our next episode, we'll confront the question: Were the Greeks masters of military innovation, or simply the beneficiaries of luck and timing in war? Join us as we dissect these fascinating dynamics of ancient combat.

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