MARATHON RACE MONUMENT

The battle of Marathon, which was fought in 490 BCE by the Athenian Greeks against the Persian invaders. It is considered the most important battle of all times, since it secured the freedom and the democracy for the civilized world. After the victorious end the Athenian Phidipidis run furiously the 42 km distance from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory.
Today the classical Marathon race on all major athletic events commemorates this ancient epic victory.

In the battle 192 Athenian soldiers died.
The monument depicts 4 rows of 48 soldiers each (192 in total) rising from their graves in order to protect the two sacred columns with the amphoras at the top.
The amphoras contain the ancient symbols for freedom in Greece, which were soil and water. Each soldier bares a 2.5 m diameter shield and a 30 m long spear encircling the columns. Under the rising phalanxes one can see the remains of their graves.
The statue of Phidipidis, the first Marathon runner, is positioned In the middle of the monument.
The athlete prints with supreme vigor and joy, holding the torch of enlightenment and freedom.