Page "Marathon, Greece" Paragraph 6

Marathon ( μάραθον ) is the Greek word for fennel.

It is believed that the town was originally named so because of an abundance of fennel plants in the area.

After Miltiades ( the general of the Greek forces ) defeated Darius ' Persian forces, the Persians decided to sail from Marathon to Athens in order to sack the unprotected city.

Miltiades ordered all his hoplite forces to ' Double-time ' march back to Athens.

So by the time Darius ' troops arrived, they saw the same Greek force waiting for them.