<P> At the time of the battle , Sparta and Athens were the two largest city - states in Greece . Once the Ionian revolt was finally crushed by the Persian victory at the Battle of Lade in 494 BC , Darius began plans to subjugate Greece . In 490 BC , he sent a naval task force under Datis and Artaphernes across the Aegean , to subjugate the Cyclades , and then to make punitive attacks on Athens and Eretria . Reaching Euboea in mid-summer after a successful campaign in the Aegean , the Persians proceeded to besiege and capture Eretria . The Persian force then sailed for Attica , landing in the bay near the town of Marathon . The Athenians , joined by a small force from Plataea , marched to Marathon , and succeeded in blocking the two exits from the plain of Marathon . The Athenians also sent a message asking for support to the Spartans . When the messenger arrived in Sparta , the Spartans were involved in a religious festival and gave this as a reason for not coming to aid of the Athenians . </P>
<P> At the time of the battle , Sparta and Athens were the two largest city - states in Greece . Once the Ionian revolt was finally crushed by the Persian victory at the Battle of Lade in 494 BC , Darius began plans to subjugate Greece . In 490 BC , he sent a naval task force under Datis and Artaphernes across the Aegean , to subjugate the Cyclades , and then to make punitive attacks on Athens and Eretria . Reaching Euboea in mid-summer after a successful campaign in the Aegean , the Persians proceeded to besiege and capture Eretria . The Persian force then sailed for Attica , landing in the bay near the town of Marathon . The Athenians , joined by a small force from Plataea , marched to Marathon , and succeeded in blocking the two exits from the plain of Marathon . The Athenians also sent a message asking for support to the Spartans . When the messenger arrived in Sparta , the Spartans were involved in a religious festival and gave this as a reason for not coming to aid of the Athenians . </P>
why was sparta unable to help at the battle of marathon
why was sparta unable to help at the battle of marathon
Spartans were involved in a religious festival
Spartans were involved in a religious festival