Relevant to a post from yesterday: https://lemmy.world/post/49714184
this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2026
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The Greek Gods were said to be envious of mortals, because their single life meant that everything they did was more important, more impactful, more decisive, more meaningful than anything a God would ever do.
If Pheidippides is in some way looking down on all this... or even if he isn't...
He has achieved immortality, in the form of essentially a secular religious tradition stemming from him, that unifies the entire species in the peaceful furtherance and celebration of physical and mental discipline and perserverance.
I cannot easily think of much more noble a legacy to leave behind... he has transcended the specific cricumstances of his life and times, and become the father of a beloved tradition, dedicated to to the indomitability of the human body and spirit.
His particular name might not be as famous as say, Achilles... but ...
I feel he wouldn't mind.
It was, after all, about the delivery of the message, not the messenger himself.
Yeah, but running!? I mean, come on.
Also, the marathon is only a tiny part of the story, and the very end.
Pheidippides first ran from Athens to Sparta (150mi) to seek help for the battle, then immediately back to Athens, then fought in the battle of Marathon, then ran the 25 miles from Marathon back to Athens to announce the victory.
Quite literally legendary.