The Athenians and Eretrians had succeeded in capturing Conquering and burning Bodily_harm Sardis , but they were then forced Motion to retreat Escaping with heavy losses .

According to Herodotus , Darius had his bow brought to him and then shot Use_firearm an arrow `` upwards towards heaven '' , saying Communication as he did so : `` Zeus , that it may be granted me to take vengeance upon the Athenians ! `` .

Herodotus further writes that Darius charged Imposing_obligation one of his servants to say `` Master , remember the Athenians '' three times before dinner each day .

The Athenians , joined Cause_to_amalgamate by a small force from Plataea , marched to Marathon , and succeeded in blocking Hindering the two exits from the plain of Marathon .

The Athenians also sent Sending a message asking Request for support to the Spartans .

When the messenger arrived in Arriving Sparta , the Spartans were involved in a religious festival and gave Giving this as a reason for not coming to aid of the Athenians .

The Athenians and their allies chose Choosing a location for the battle , with marshes and mountainous terrain , that prevented Preventing_or_letting the Persian cavalry from joining the Persian infantry .

This victory was largely due to the Athenians , and Marathon raised Building Greek esteem of them .

The Athenians , however , counterattacked Attack and scored Getting a crushing victory over the Boeotians at the Battle of Oenophyta and followed this victory up by conquering Conquering all of Boeotia except for Thebes .

The Athenians were defeated Conquering in 454 BC by the Persians in Egypt which caused Causation them to enter Arriving into a five years ' truce with Sparta .

In 446 BC , Boeotia revolted Change_of_leadership and defeated Conquering the Athenians at Coronea and regained Getting their independence .