Other Initiatives · Education · Marathon Education Program
MARATHON EDUCATION PROGRAM
Since 2014, the Alpha Omega Council has conducted The Marathon Education Program in concert with the 26.2 Foundation. This Program is supported by the Greek Consulate in Boston and The Examined Life and promotes the Hellenic roots of the Boston Marathon and uses the Marathon and Greek History as a platform to teach middle and high school students about Ancient Greece, the roots of democracy, and its lessons for civic participation today.
This Program was launched in 2014 following the Boston Marathon bombings. Over 1,000 students have participated annually. The Program establishes:
(i) a required essay by students on a topic relating to the Battle of Marathon,
(ii) lectures for middle and high school students by local university classics and political science professors, and
(iii) programming on Ancient Greek is delivered by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The essays are entered into an essay contest and the winners, and their families and educators are invited to participate in a special year-end celebration.
The Program’s goal remains to offer this Classical Greek cultural enrichment to all public middle schools along the Marathon route and then expand to other districts within Massachusetts.
2024 Marathon Essay Excerpts
See program book for all essay excerpts.
Imagine a nation where a single figure stands above all, a looming threat to all who think differently. Each outlier is stamped down with an iron fist; the killing of new ideas would become just as easy as crushing an ant. Would it even be considered a nation anymore?
Aeschines, one of the ten orators of the Athenian Assembly stated that any “man who earns his daily bread by working…he most heartily welcomes” (Blackwell). Democracy was meant for the people. Aeschines highlights the necessity of an open government where people can converse, so that they can produce new ideas and elaborate on each other to work towards a better society. It is easily seen how Athens and the United States reflect this idea, allowing all who meet certain requirements to vote and influence their governments, along with their neighboring citizens. In this government, all are welcome. This remains a principle established in Athens that has been carried on by the US.
— John C.
The root word of “democracy” is demos, Greek for “people”. Hence, the backbone of a democracy is its people. First created in Ancient Athens, a city-state of Greece, democracy is a form of government where each individual would have their voice heard in the government that ruled them. The concept of democracy was revolutionary for its time, as monarchical and oligarchical governments that virtually ignored the voices of its common subjects were prevalent for most of history preceding Athens. Although eventually lost to the centuries, the Athenian government left its legacy for posterity, and its democratic principles, such as civic participation…became foundational parts of the Republic of the United States
— Anupa H.
As we begin our slow march over the crest of the hill we had been camped on I realize how massively outnumbered we are, even with the help of the Plataeans. The expanse of land before us is filled with Persian troops. According to our commander there are 30,000 of them to match our meager 11,000 hoplites. I hear the clanking of metal on metal as our army continues its slow descent to the waiting Persian army. The plains of Marathon become nearly silent save for the sounds of our army as we descend the hill. Seeing just how badly outnumbered we are I start to panic, but then I remember why I’m here. I’m here with all these men to defend my city, my ways of life. Getting taken over by the Persians means the end of our newly established democracy. I have begun to truly appreciate the ability to vote on the matters that had once been decided for me. I enjoy coming to assemblies, speaking my opinion while also listening to the opinions of others.
— Natalie L.