Marathon, Greece

modern town in Attica, Greece

Marathon (Demotic Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas; Attic/Katharevousa: Μαραθών, Marathṓn) is a town in Greece and the site of the battle of Marathon around 490 BCE.

Marathon
Μαραθώνας
Settlement
The plain of Marathon today
The plain of Marathon today
Marathon is located in Greece
Marathon
Marathon
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°9′N 23°57′E / 38.150°N 23.950°E / 38.150; 23.950
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitEast Attica
Government
 • MayorIlias Psinakis
Area
 • Municipal unit97.06 km2 (37.48 sq mi)
Elevation
28 m (92 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit
12,849
 • Municipal unit density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
190 07
Area code(s)22940
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitewww.marathon.gr

The name "Marathon" (Μαραθών) comes from the herb fennel, called marathon (μάραθον) or marathos (μάραθος) in Ancient Greek.[2][n 1] so Marathon literally means "a place full of fennels".[4]

  1. The Greek word for fennel is first attested in Mycenaean Linear B on tablets MY Ge 602, MY Ge 606 + fr., MY Ge 605 + 607 + frr. + 60Sa + 605b - as 𐀔𐀨𐀶𐀺, ma-ra-tu-wo.[3]

References

change
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. μάραθον. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at Perseus Project.
  3. "The Linear B word ma-ra-tu-wo". Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of Ancient languages. Raymoure, K.A. "ma-ra-tu-wo". Minoan Linear A & Mycenaean Linear B. Deaditerranean. Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2020-03-01. "MY 602 Ge (57)". "MY 606 Ge + fr. (57)". "MY 605 Ge + 607 + fr. [+] 60Sa + fr. [+] 605b + frr. (57)". DĀMOS: Database of Mycenaean at Oslo. University of Oslo.
  4. Μαραθών in Liddell and Scott.