The Persian invasions of Greece - Arthur Keaveney

Exactly 2,500 years ago in 490 BC Darius I, Great King of Persia and the most powerful man in the world, led a massive invasion army (so great it reputedly drank rivers dry as it passed) to punish the interference of some minor states beyond the western borders of his huge empire. That enemy was Athens. The resultant Battle of Marathon was a disaster for Darius and one of the most famous victories for the underdog in all military history. The Persians were forced to withdraw and plot an even bigger expedition to conquer Athens and all of Greece once and for all.