The Battle of Marathon (490 BC, Greece) — Questions and answers

Read the full story

Why was Darius I angry at Athens?

Choices

  1. Athens refused to send him a gift.
  2. Athens had helped a revolt against him. ✓
  3. Athens built a palace bigger than his.
  4. Athens invited his enemies to a party.

Answer: Athens had helped a revolt against him.

From page 2

What did Darius I decide to do after his advisor warned him about Athens?

Choices

  1. He decided to go on a vacation.
  2. He ordered his fleet to get ready for war. ✓
  3. He changed his mind and became friends with Athens.
  4. He asked the advisor to fight the Athenians instead.

Answer: He ordered his fleet to get ready for war.

From page 3

How did the people of Athens react when they heard the Persians were coming?

Choices

  1. They were happy and cheered loudly.
  2. They were calm and went about their day.
  3. They were thrown into worry and confusion. ✓
  4. They decided to send gifts to the Persians.

Answer: They were thrown into worry and confusion.

From page 4

Who did Athens send to Sparta to ask for help?

Choices

  1. Miltiades, the general
  2. Darius I, the Persian king
  3. Pheidippides, the runner ✓
  4. Callimachus, the polemarch

Answer: Pheidippides, the runner

From page 5

Why couldn't the Spartans help Athens right away?

Choices

  1. They were too tired from practicing.
  2. They were busy with a religious festival. ✓
  3. They didn't want to fight the Persians.
  4. They were waiting for better weather.

Answer: They were busy with a religious festival.

From page 6

What did Miltiades decide to do when the Spartans couldn't help immediately?

Choices

  1. He decided to wait for the Spartans.
  2. He decided to give up and surrender.
  3. He decided to fight the Persians without Spartan help. ✓
  4. He decided to send more messengers to other cities.

Answer: He decided to fight the Persians without Spartan help.

From page 7

How did the Athenians start the battle?

Choices

  1. They waited patiently for the Persians to attack.
  2. They sang a loud song to scare the Persians.
  3. They charged fiercely at the Persian lines. ✓
  4. They tried to make friends with the Persians.

Answer: They charged fiercely at the Persian lines.

From page 8

What did Miltiades tell his soldiers to do when he saw a weakness in the Persian army?

Choices

  1. To stop fighting and rest.
  2. To run away from the battle.
  3. To focus their attack on the middle of the Persian army. ✓
  4. To throw their spears into the sky.

Answer: To focus their attack on the middle of the Persian army.

From page 9