A Marathon is a 26 mile long race that has been an integral part of the Olympic games since the 1896 games in Athens. But the race is also a part of both history and myth. In 490 BCE, a messenger was sent from the field of Marathon to Athens in order to report the Greek victory over the invading Persians. The messenger is said to have been a professional long-distance runner named Philippides who supposedly dropped dead in a typically heroic fashion immediately after completing his grueling run and, of course, delivering his important message. The news about the victory was of great importance to the city-state of Athens, and the historic Battle of Marathon was a key victory in the establishment of early Greek power.

In addition to its connection with long-distance running and Olympic games, the Battle of Marathon is one of the earliest recorded battles in history. The field saw an intense conflict unfold between the warriors of Athens and the invading force of Persia. Much like the American field of Gettysburg, the strength and intensity of the battle at Marathon may well have imprinted itself upon the surrounding countryside. Certainly, there are a number of historic reports that describe ghostly soldiers appearing at Marathon to relive the decisive battle. There are many reports about ghostly encounters in Greek and Roman literature, but the story of the Field of Marathon remains one of the most compelling.