# Pheidippides

> legendary Greek runner from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC

**Wikidata**: [Q313728](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313728)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheidippides)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pheidippides

## Summary
Pheidippides is a legendary figure in Greek history, known for his role as a messenger who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce a Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BC. He is traditionally credited with running approximately 25 miles (40 km) from the plain of Marathon to the Athenian acropolis to deliver the news of the victory, after which he collapsed and died. This story, while likely mythologized over time, established Pheidippides as a symbol of endurance and patriotic duty in ancient Greek culture.

## Biography
- Born: c. 530 BC, Ancient Greece
- Nationality: Classical Athens
- Education: None specified
- Known for: Legendary long-distance run from Marathon to Athens
- Employer(s): None specified
- Field(s): Military communication, ancient Greece

## Contributions
Pheidippides is most famously associated with the legendary run from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory at Marathon. This act, though likely a later mythological addition, is central to his story and legacy. He is also remembered for the role he played in the early communication of the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. His run is commemorated in the modern marathon race, which was inspired by his legendary journey. His story is also linked to the first modern Olympic movement, where the first modern marathon race was held to honor the legendary run of 25 miles from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.

## FAQs
### What is Pheidippides known for?
Pheidippides is known for his legendary run from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. He is a figure of ancient Greek history and is often associated with the origins of the modern marathon race.

### What is the significance of the Battle of Marathon in relation to Pheidippides?
The Battle of Marathon was a key historical event in the Greco-Persian wars, where the Greeks achieved a decisive victory over the Persians. Pheidippides's run from the battlefield to Athens, where he announced the victory, is a symbolic event in Greek history. The distance of his run, approximately 25 miles (40 km), is the same as the modern marathon race distance.

### Why They Matter
Pheidippides's legendary run from the battlefield to Athens is often seen as the inspiration for the modern marathon race. His story is a symbol of endurance, victory, and the spirit of ancient Greece. His name is associated with the modern Olympic Games, which were inspired by his run. The legend of Pheidippides is a symbol of ancient Greek heroism and is often used to represent the spirit of the marathon.

## Notable For
- Legendary run from Marathon to Athens after the battle
- Death after the run
- Being the namesake for the modern marathon race
- Foundational role in the original Olympic spirit

## Body
### Early Life
Pheidippides is a figure of ancient Greek history, and his story is largely based on oral tradition. He was a messenger who ran from the plain of Marathon to Athens to announce the victory at the Battle of Marathon. He is said to have died after completing his run, having brought the news of the victory to Athens.

### Career
Pheidippides was a professional courier, and is known for his legendary run from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens. He was a key figure in the communication of the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon.

### Projects
Pheidippides is known for his legendary run from the battlefield to Athens, a distance of approximately 25 miles (40 km). This run is the basis for the modern marathon race, which was inspired by his legendary run. His role in the communication of the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon is a key part of Greek and global history.

### Influence
Pheidippides's run is often seen as a symbol of ancient Greek heroism and is often used to represent the spirit of the modern Olympic Games. His story is a symbol of endurance and the spirit of the ancient Greek people. His name is associated with the modern marathon race, which was inspired by his legendary run.

### Legacy
Pheidippides's legendary run is a symbol of ancient Greek heroism and is often used to represent the spirit of the ancient Greek people. His story is a symbol of the modern Olympic Games, which were inspired by his run. His name is associated with the modern marathon race, which was inspired by his legendary run from the battlefield to Athens.

### Death and Modern Legacy
Pheidippides is known to have died after completing his run from the battlefield to Athens. His name is associated with the modern marathon race, which was inspired by his legendary run. His story is a symbol of ancient Greek heroism and is often used to represent the spirit of the ancient Greek people. The modern marathon race was inspired by his legendary run and is a symbol of his endurance and the spirit of the ancient Greek people.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013