Marathon, Greece

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Marathon (Greek, Modern: ????????? Marathona or Marathonas, Ancient/Katharevousa: ???????, "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.

Related Topics:
Greek - Katharevousa - Greece - Battle of Marathon - 490 BC - Athenian - Persia - Phidippides - Marathon

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Marathon (???????) 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.

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The sophist and magnate Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon.

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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 plain area lies to the southeast.

Related Topics:
1925 - Athens - 1930 - Lake Marathon - GR-83

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The beach of Schinias is located southeast of the town: it is a popular windsurfing spot and the Olympic Rowing Center for the 2004 Summer Olympics is also located there.

Related Topics:
Windsurfing - 2004 Summer Olympics

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

Related Topics:
2004 Summer Olympics - Marathon

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The rainstorm on September 16, 2005 ruined farmlands and flooded roads as well as houses, buildings and other properties. One incident was a thunder stroke a house and caused a fire with no major damages and several another that it also caused small forest fires. Crops were also ruined, a road were flooded which firefighters drained out all the water away. The rain later dissipated within the evening hours.

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