How Did the Ancient Greeks Measure the Distance for Marathons?

The blog often conflates the origin of the marathon race with the story of Phidippides, however, this is not entirely accurate. In this article, we explore the true origins and measurements of distance used by ancient Greeks and how the modern marathon distance came to be.

The Inception of the Modern Marathon

The marathon as we know it today, with a distance of 26.2 miles, was not a concept familiar to the ancient Greeks. In fact, it was a fictional story that gained popularity through time, immortalized in literature and athletics, while the original context is often forgotten.

Phidippides, an ancient Greek soldier and messenger, is often credited with the run from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, a distance of approximately 26 miles. However, according to historical records, Phidippides did not survive the journey, dying from dehydration and exhaustion. This heroic tale, however, has transformed into a legend, and the distance of this run is now a standard in modern long-distance running events.

Ancient Greek Units of Measurement

Before the marathon race as we know it today, ancient Greeks used different units of measurement. One such unit was the stadium, a unit of distance used for various purposes, including measuring the length of running races.

One stadium was approximately 185 meters (or 606.9 feet, or one eighth of a mile). This unit was standardized across different regions of ancient Greece and was used to measure not only races but also buildings and roads. The stadium was a practical unit of measurement, easily transferable and understandable for both the elite and the common people.

Empirical Determination of the Stadion

To determine the exact length of the stadion, scholars have used various methods. One such method involves comparing historical records with modern measurements. Lev Vasilevich Firsov, a Russian archaeologist, made a significant contribution by comparing 81 distances from historical texts, such as those provided by Eratosthenes and Strabo, with modern measurements.

Firsov averaged the results of these comparisons and concluded that the stadion was approximately 157.7 meters (or 172.5 yards). This empirical determination provides a more accurate understanding of the historical measurement and helps to contextualize the ancient Greek system of units.

The Modern Marathon

The modern marathon, as we know it today, was inspired by this historical legend. At the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, a race of approximately 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) was held to commemorate the ancient race. During the 1908 London Olympics, the race distance was adjusted to 26 miles and 385 yards (or 26.2 miles) to fit the specifications of the royal box at the starting point.

The distance remained at 26.2 miles until the marathon became an official Olympic event in the 1908 London Olympics, where the organizers made the distance a standard of 26.2 miles. Since then, the distance of 26.2 miles has become a global standard in marathon races.

Conclusion

While the ancient Greeks did not run marathons as we define them today, they did have their own unique units of measurement such as the stadion. Historical accounts of the legendary Phidippides run have immortalized a distance of 26 miles as a symbol of victory and endurance. The modern marathon distance of 26.2 miles, however, has its roots in the need to create a standardized and official distance for the 1896 Olympics.