Page "Battle of Marathon" Paragraph 31

From a strategic point of view, the Athenians had some disadvantages at Marathon.

In order to face the Persians in battle, the Athenians had had to summon all available hoplites ; and even then they were still probably outnumbered at least 2 to 1.

Furthermore, raising such a large army had denuded Athens of defenders, and thus any secondary attack in the Athenian rear would cut the army off from the city ; and any direct attack on the city could not be defended against.

Still further, defeat at Marathon would mean the complete defeat of Athens, since no other Athenian army existed.

The Athenian strategy was therefore to keep the Persian army pinned down at Marathon, blocking both exits from the plain, and thus preventing themselves from being outmaneuvered.

However, these disadvantages were balanced by some advantages.

The Athenians initially had no need to seek battle, since they had managed to confine the Persians to the plain of Marathon.

Furthermore, time worked in their favour, as every day brought the arrival of the Spartans closer.

Having everything to lose by attacking, and much to gain by not attacking, the Athenians remained on the defensive in the run up to the battle.

Tactically, hoplites were vulnerable to attacks by cavalry, and since the Persians had substantial numbers of cavalry, this made any offensive maneuver by the Athenians even more of a risk, and thus reinforced the defensive strategy of the Athenians.