The Persian Version 

by Robert Graves (1895-1985)

Robert Graves, a veteran of the First World War, wrote this poem during the the Second World War. The Persian version of the battle of Marathon is a counterattack on the Greek version of the story. The Battle of was fought in 490 BC. Presenting the history from the point of view of Persians, Robert Graves claims that the Persians had the more salutary demonstration in the battle.

The speaker in the poem accepts that the weather was adverse and attempts were ill starred, and  the defense was strong. Despite these adversities, the outnumbered Persian expeditionary landing force had given the better performance on the battlefield. And that the story the Greeks have passed down is more in line with their theatrical tradition and less in line with history.

The Greeks may have written the history in their own favor; but through Graves’ piece, the Persians give their view on the matter.