[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I always find these astronomical clues to chronology and dating fascinating. We "know" with certainty the date of the Vernal Equinox or an eclipse in 136 BC. Fascinating. BTW, major kudos to the authors AND EDITORS for using AD and BC and not those fingers-on-the-blackboard neologisms, "CE" & "BCE".

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

((( PING )))

[philly-d-kidder]

I always thought the correct istance was 26 miles 385 yards??

[Elendur]

a messenger who ran about 26 miles from the battlefield
///
about 24 miles. the first modern Olympic marathon was closer to that.
but in i think 1908, it was extended so royal viewers could watch. the distance of 26.2 has stayed since.

[Squantos]

Used to run six miles every morning while active duty. I retired at 26 years with an injury that wouldn’t let me do that jog every morning. I have over those same years felt good during my morning PT an ran 12 with an 8 minute average a few times. Marathons ?

Nope...:o)

[philly-d-kidder]

BTW I ran Boston Marathon

[ClearCase_guy]

“Rejoice, we conquer!”

[JoeProBono]

[SunkenCiv]

Wow, I'd forgotten about this one:

• Astronomers Revise Date of Ancient Greek-Persian Battle [7/22/2004]

  Analysis of lunar records show the 490 B.C. battle occurred not on the long accepted date of September 12, but a full month earlier, researchers said... Having the run occur in August "makes it a little more plausible that he keeled over and died," said physics lecturer Russell Doescher, who worked on the study with team leader Donald Olson and colleague Marilynn Olson at Texas State University at San Marcos.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

To improve this historical thread you should post contemporary newspaper articles about the event. I recommend checking your local college or university library’s newspaper archives. They probably have the Athens Times on microfilm from 136 B.C.