Marathon reversed

[Revelation]

If the battle of Marathon had gone the other way with the Persian empire taking control of Hellenic world, how do you think modern society would be structured today?

[English assassin]

That is what they call a big question.

Obviously we would lack a fair bit of Greek culture (although presumably a fair few of the Greek cities elsewhere in the Med might still have been founded). Possibly Alexander would not have happened, assuming that the Persians held onto what would have been a distant, poor and unruly part of their empire for hundreds of years and felt alarmed at the rise of Macedonia to the north.

However it seems to me there would have been no impact on the rise of Rome and so the overall shape of Western European culture would be broadly similar.

[Advo-san]

Dont forget that the rise of Rome began with the conquest of Greece, that Rome's biggest province. What would have happened if Rome had to fight against the Persians in order to make their first step into the East?

Who can tell......

[Cataphract_Of_The_City]

Contrary to popular belief, Marathon was not a major battle, not in the magnitude of Salamis anyway.

The Persians were trying to create a buffer between the Greek cities of West Asia Minor and the mainland, especially the aggressive and supportive of rebellions Athens. This was to be achieved by placing Ippias as a tyrant in Athens. The first leg was successful. Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades was occupied and the Eretrians defeated (showing that the Great King exacted reverge on his enemies). The second part of the operation however was not successful.

If it was successful, then the Persians may have managed to place Ippias as a tyrant in Athens. I say may, because tyranny was not very popular in Athens. Sure there were supporters but in the end the democrats would have prevailed. What would happen after that is pure speculations. Perhaps history would have followed approximately the same path, but with a small delay. Perhaps, Xerxes would still attack Greece and win because the Athenians did not manage to build their fleet. Perhaps the Athenians would recover in time and manage to defeat Xerxes. Who knows.

[caesar44]

Dont forget that the rise of Rome began with the conquest of Greece, that Rome's biggest province. What would have happened if Rome had to fight against the Persians in order to make their first step into the East?

Who can tell......

The rise of rome began when they throw Phirhus out of Italy in 275 bce , and when they defeated the Punics in 241 bce , and again in 202 bce . the conquest of greece was a free tour comparing these major victories

[PyrrhusofEpirus]

The rise of rome began when they throw Phirhus out of Italy

My ex-girlfriend throw me out of Italy!

the conquest of greece was a free tour comparing these major victories

And yes I must admit it was a major victory of her!!!

[caesar44]

But your real name is not phirhus , ha ?

[kallitheus]

I think this question should be asked regarding the battle of salamis,which is considered a landmark in the history of the West.

Besides that the Persian army at Marathon was a force sent to exact revenge upon the Eretreans and the Athenians for their contribution to the
Ionian revolution,and not to conquer all of Greece,unlike the army and the fleet sent under Xerxe's command.

Ps.Due to lack of time,i may be able to deepen in the subject tomorrow.