Pheidippides

American  

[fahy-dip-i-deez] / faɪˈdɪp ɪˌdiz /

Or Phidippides

noun

1. the Athenian runner who secured aid from Sparta in the struggle between the Athenians and the Persians 490 b.c.

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Pheidippides British  

/ faɪˈdɪpɪˌdiːz /

noun

1. 5th century _bc . Athenian athlete, who ran to Sparta to seek help against the Persians before the Battle of Marathon (490 _bc )

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Example Sentences

The marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers corresponds to the legend of how far the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides traveled between Marathon and Athens to announce victory over the Persians in 490 B.C.

From Scientific American • Sep. 21, 2020

Pheidippides ran back to Athens with the bad news, but by then the Athenians were already engaged with the Persians.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

The marathon was founded on the myth of the Greek messenger Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens to convey the story that the Spartans had been beaten in battle.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 12, 2019

“Great for our sport, isn’t it? Think of the two most famous marathoners — Pheidippides and Rosie Ruiz,” said Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers in an interview with the Globe.

From Washington Post • Aug. 7, 2019

In the midst of these realistic tragedies and comedies, Pheidippides, with its clear Greek outline and charm and heroical grace, stands finely contrasted.

From An Introduction to the Study of Browning by Symons, Arthur