The Patriotism of the Greeks
The Greeks, unlike the Persians, had a strong connection to the country in which they fought, and took to defending it with an almost fanatical patriotism, often fighting to the last man, refusing to surrender and attempting to drive the invaders back from their land.
Miltiades, the Athenian general, issued this speech to his fellow soldiers and the Allied general Callimachus at the battle of marathon in 490BCE in an effort to rally them to repel the Persians from their homeland. It is a good example of the deep-running and almost fanatical patriotism of the Greeks.
'With you it rests, Callimachus, either to bring Athens to slavery, or, by securing her freedom, to be remembered by all future generations. For never since the time that the Athenians became a people were they in so great a danger as now. If they bow their necks beneath the yoke of the Persians, the woes which they will have to suffer...are already determined. If, on the other hand, they fight and overcome, Athens may rise to be the very first city in Greece.'
'We generals are ten in number, and our votes are divided: half of us wish to engage, half to avoid a combat. Now, if we do not fight, I look to see a great disturbance at Athens which will shake men's resolutions, and then I fear they will submit themselves. But, if we fight the battle before any unsoundness shows itself among our citizens,...we are well able to overcome the enemy.'
'On you therefore we depend in this matter, which lies wholly in your own power. You have only to add your vote to my side and your country will be free - and not free only, but the first state in Greece. Or, if you prefer to give your vote to them who would decline the combat, then the reverse will follow.' (Miltiades, 490BCE)
Miltiades, the Athenian general, issued this speech to his fellow soldiers and the Allied general Callimachus at the battle of marathon in 490BCE in an effort to rally them to repel the Persians from their homeland. It is a good example of the deep-running and almost fanatical patriotism of the Greeks.
'With you it rests, Callimachus, either to bring Athens to slavery, or, by securing her freedom, to be remembered by all future generations. For never since the time that the Athenians became a people were they in so great a danger as now. If they bow their necks beneath the yoke of the Persians, the woes which they will have to suffer...are already determined. If, on the other hand, they fight and overcome, Athens may rise to be the very first city in Greece.'
'We generals are ten in number, and our votes are divided: half of us wish to engage, half to avoid a combat. Now, if we do not fight, I look to see a great disturbance at Athens which will shake men's resolutions, and then I fear they will submit themselves. But, if we fight the battle before any unsoundness shows itself among our citizens,...we are well able to overcome the enemy.'
'On you therefore we depend in this matter, which lies wholly in your own power. You have only to add your vote to my side and your country will be free - and not free only, but the first state in Greece. Or, if you prefer to give your vote to them who would decline the combat, then the reverse will follow.' (Miltiades, 490BCE)