Editor’s note: At its height during the fifth and sixth centuries B.C., the Persian Empire was the largest the world had ever seen, ranging from central Asia to Egypt and the Balkans. Its armies earned a reputation as invincible — until the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., when, against all odds, the Greeks routed the Persians, setting up their nation for victory and independence.

This inspiring story is told here by Father James Thornton, longtime contributor to The New American magazine, who has written biographies of 15 great military leaders of the ancient world. Their stories teach timeless lessons regarding patriotism and love of country. Central to Greece’s struggle to maintain sovereignty is the account of Miltiades the Younger, who ruled over an Athenian colony on what is today the Gallipoli Peninsula. Following is an excerpt, adapted from Thornton’s work.

In 513 B.C., King Darius I of Persia moved a large army threateningly close to Miltiades’ colony, forcing him to become a vassal. Darius had imposed the same control over the Ionian Greek cities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and therefore required Miltiades and the other rulers to accompany him on an expedition against the Scythians.

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