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Marathon

Historical Location
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A plain in Attica where Athens defeated a Persian army in 490 BCE.

Detailed Definition
Marathon is remembered for the Athenian victory that helped preserve the independence of the Greek city-states and later inspired the famous long-distance race. The battlefield lies between mountains and sea, giving the name a vivid physical setting for speed, endurance, and mortal courage. In poetry, Marathon may evoke a messenger’s breath, democratic resistance, or the brief instant when history is decided by exhausted bodies.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poem may invoke Marathon to represent endurance over distance; “From Marathon to the sea” can recall the ancient Greek battle and the tradition of the long-distance messenger; A modern poet might use Marathon to describe an exhausting political or emotional struggle; The name can create heroic irony when the speaker celebrates a small personal victory.
Additional Notes
Marathon recalls the Athenian victory over Persia in 490 BCE and the legendary run carrying news of that victory to Athens. The term can therefore suggest sacrifice, endurance, speed, civic duty, and triumph against overwhelming odds. It also gives its name to the modern long-distance race.
Other Meanings of “Marathon”
Also Known As
Race of Endurance Long-Distance Challenge Heroic Run
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