Once upon a time, in a far away land known as Ancient Greece, there lived a man named Pheidippides.

When Pheidippides was younger, he ran on his school's track team. He won every long distance run he ran. He probably would have won the gold medal, if the Olympics were established when he was alive.

Long   Distance         Run winner

     Around some time in 490 b.c, Pheidippides was old enough, and decided, to join the Greek army. At this time, the Greeks were fighting a war with Persia. Pheidippides and the Greek army were really scared. 

    The Persian army had 30,000 people, while the Greek army only had 10,000. That meant that for every one man the Greeks had, Persia had 3. This made the men very nervous.

                      Vs.

     Greek Army                 Spartan Army

    But the Greeks had thought of a plan. They would send somebody to go and get help from the army in Sparta. 

    If the Spartans agreed to help, the Greeks were sure they would win against Persia. All they needed to do was find someone who was brave enough to go and ask the Spartans for help.

   Spartans

    All of the Greek army men grumbled, not wanting to have to go. The Spartans were big and scary. It was a really long and dangerous journey to Sparta, and they would have to travel on foot. Many of the men did not want to run that far. There was also no guarantee that the Spartans would even agree to come and help them. 

    When the officials asked for a volunteer to go to Sparta, all of the men lowered their heads and stepped back, hoping they would not be chosen. One man did not step back or lower his head. He did not grumble or pout. Instead,   Pheidippides raised his hand and said to the officials, “I can go!” The officials smiled, happy that someone volunteered.

I can go!

Who will go to Sparta?

Through forest, through grass, and sand

  Pheidippides ran, and ran, and ran

He ran for two days straight until he made it to Sparta. He asked the Spartan army, “will you please help us?” The Spartans agreed to come to the Greek’s aid, but they had to get ready first. They took too long for Pheidippides' taste. He began to pace; he was bored. He decided, instead of waiting around for the Spartans to be ready, he would run back to Marathon himself.

Will you please help us?

On sand, through grass, and through forest

Pheidippides ran, and ran, and ran

       He ran until he made it back to Marathon, where a battle was being fought. The Greeks had learned that the Persian cavalry had left. Instead of waiting for Pheidippides to come back with the Spartans, they decided to battle then.  Pheidippides immediately started to help, fighting back as many Persians as he could. 

The Greek army fought the Persians, forcing them back to the ocean, making them go onto their boats where the Persians retreated out of Greece.