urs for athletes to finish. The marathon really was never oneof the ancient Olympic events, although its origin dates back to another episode in ancientGreek history. Microsoft's Encarta '95 Encyclopedia states that "in the 5th century B.C., thePersians invaded Greece, landing at Marathon, a small town about 26 miles from the city ofAthens. The Athenian army was seriously outnumbered by the Persian army, so the Athenianssent messengers to cities all over Greece asking for help." The traditional origin of themarathon comes from the story how a herald named Philippides ran the 26 miles fromMarathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory and died on the spot. However, ancientauthors do not support this legend. Philippides was sent by the Athenians to Sparta to ask forhelp; a man named Eukles announced the victory to the Athenians and then died." Los Angles'84 page 17 Nevertheless, the story has persisted and is the basis for the modern-daymarathon. In adition, this story gives example to the heart that the Anciet Greeks put onathletics. One has to realize that during this time of history, and especially this area, war wasamong everyone, and the gods caused it all. The Olympics we're more of a way to showhonor and loyalty to the gods. That makes perfect sence in why the Olympics were held in"Olympia, one of the oldest religious centers in the ancient Greek world. Since athleticcontests were one way that the ancient Greeks honored their gods, it was logical to hold arecurring athletic competition at the site of a major temple....Also, Olympia is convenientgeographically to reach by ship, which was a major concern for the Greeks. Athletes andspectators traveled from Greek colonies as far away as modern-day Spain, the Black Sea, orEgypt. An international truce among the Greeks was declared for the month before theOlympics to allow the athletes to reach Olympia safely. Just because the Gods had no rulesdidn't mean man didn't either. In...
