Marathon (Greek, Modern: Μαραθώνας Marathona or Marathonas, Ancient/Katharavousa : Μαραθών, "Marathon") is a town in Greece, the site of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, in which the Athenian army defeated the Persians. A legendary run of a messenger named Phidippides from Marathon to Athens, a distance of 26.2 miles, after the battle forms the basis for the modern-day marathon race. When the messenger arrived in Athens, he shouted "NENIKIKAMEN" (we were victorious) and died. Later for mourning Athens' soldiers, a mound was made. Today there is a park around this mound.

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.

The sophist and magnate Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon.

In 1925 a dam was constructed by the American company ULEN in a valley above Marathon, in order to ensure water supply for Athens. It was completed in 1930. About 10 km² of forested land were flooded to form Lake Marathon . The Dionysos-Nea Makri road, part of GR-83 , passes through a traffic-light-controlled one-lane driveway on the crest of the dam wall.

The beach is located southeast of the town centre.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics Marathon was the starting point for both men and women marathon races.

The plain of Marathon today

Historical population

Other settlements include Limni Marathona which the population is only 16 in 1991.

See also

• List of municipalities of Attica, Communities of Attica