Playing even just a few routes through Marathon will give readers a sense of the intensity of ancient battle, the scenario at Marathon, and a flavour of some of the concerns facing ancient generals. There are three other battles in the series, Hastings, Arnhem, and Iwo Jima, so Marathon represents antiquity and makes antiquity a part of this series of key battles. Choose-your-own-adventure books have been around for some decades but ancient stories remain rare within the genre, making this an unusual opportunity to explore antiquity in this manner.
In terms of personnel, it makes sense that Miltiades is the protagonist as historically he survived the battle and was the more significant military leader on the day. The introduction contains the historical detail that Miltiades knew the Persian military well. It is less frank in its depiction of Miltiades' political career however, insisting that the Athenians put him on a 'false trial' and making no mention of him being tried for tyranny or serving as tyrant in the Chersonese. This simplifies the 'goodies' and 'baddies' dynamic by presenting Miltiades in an unusually positive uncomplicated manner. It is also claimed that the generals have all put off fighting and only you (as Miltiades) have the drive to engage. This avoids the tradition that the generals were split on when to fight and ultimately gave Miltiades their command days (Herodotus, 6.109-10). Instead Miltiades is presented as unusually aggressive and brave, and the text lionises those qualities. Having Callimachus amongst the few named figures broadens the reader's awareness of key people involved. As much is made of him as a spiritual leader as a military one, perhaps in an attempt to deflect questions about why he is not in charge. Arimnestos does not play much role in the choices but his positive characterisation reflects him depiction in Herodotus' Histories. The death of Callimachus was mentioned by Herodotus and became the subject of much of the discourse around Marathon, so its inclusion adds another key aspect of the historical tradition. It is not possible to save him, and in that sense it is true to history. You will always die if you attempt to save Callimachus. Different routes provide different degrees of censure for the decision to leave him; if you have made over-cautious decisions before you will receive more implied censure, if you have been braver, less. Ultimately to do well you must weather the feelings of cowardice that it always makes you feel and listen to the hints that he cannot be saved – he is surrounded, the two of you would be massively outnumbered, and you are both of mature years fighting younger men. This is a difficult choice to present a young person with and it carries the tough message that charging to the rescue is not always the responsible thing to do. The situation is a little different when Leontis is in danger. You and he are not so isolated and you have an opportunity to save him. If you try and save him you cannot fail, but if you do not try, you will receive censure. When it is not futile, bravery is represented as preferable.
The account of how a phalanx works is overly simple and out of date in its emphasis on formal ranks, locked shields, and well-coordinated action, but beyond that it gives a good sense of the importance of the use of spears, massed soldiers, and wings that can be directed separately. The reader has very little information to go on at the start, so they must draw on their own sense to consider whether it would be preferable to attack and attempt to avoid the Persians' arrows and so on. If you do charge, more information is provided that enables a more informed decision about whether to have a strong centre or wings. The way to achieve the rank of Great General is to act as closely as possible in accordance with what Miltiades is thought to have done on the day. Too many reckless or over-cautious decisions are likely to lead to your death. If you make the early mistake of walking through the arrows you can redeem it, but it is harder to succeed. The lesson that you can win the battle but lose the war through the loss of your city adds a layer of complexity to the situation – many routes lead to victory on the battlefield but the destruction of Athens. The tradition of the run to Sparta and or Athens does not feature; Herodotus' account of the army's swift return to Athens is preferred (Herodotus, 6.116).
The depictions of omens and epiphany are done well. These were an important part of the Marathon tradition and of Greek culture more generally, so it adds something culturally distinctive to the landscape that distinguishes this battle from, for example, Hastings. Quite rightly omens are depicted as an event that a general may observe and respond to, not as a definitive representation of the future. How you choose to respond to it (interpreting it as a sign to renew attack or to retreat) is represented as a reflection of the general's emotional state combined with his reading of the tactical situation. There is no ancient tradition of Ares appearing at Marathon, but as a well-known god of battle his appearance chimes well with a Greek environment (42). The unnamed other divine figure may or may not be Ares and there is something pleasing about the ambiguity (52). The divine figures are described in terms familiar from Homeric epiphany. They are massive, imposing, clad in golden armour and shimmering in the light. Ares shape-shifts fleetingly. He announces the gods' punishment of your failure. The unnamed divinity has the additional descriptor of blond with enraged eyes. His voice thunders though his lips do not move. You also take omens from a sacrifice before battle and take reassurance from the clearness of the goat's entrails - another neat period detail. References to the heat, the sun, the rocky hillside and the smell of herbs trampled underfoot add to the feeling of a lived-in environment.
Perhaps the least sophisticated element of the book comes in the descriptions of the Persians: 'wild animals' (p. 27), the army a 'single creature' (p. 27), 'hungry mountain lions' (p. 68), 'wild boars' (p. 71), 'sometimes honourable' (p. 85), 'arrogant' (p. 90), 'dogs' (p. 98); the Spartans consider them 'demons' (p. 39). While this may be intended to represent a hostile Greek point-of-view, it is unnecessarily dehumanising. This is especially harmful when so little attention had been paid to the cause of the battle, which leaves an implied sense that this was an unprovoked attack from a faceless enemy. The What Really Happened section does not explore the background of the war. Herodotus' Histories is mentioned as the main source: 'some... accurate, some... factually wrong and some – well – he just made it up!' (p. 99). This at least invites readers to explore Herodotus further if they so choose, while a bullet-point summery is given of the main events as they relate to some of the key choices in the book. Marathon offers an opportunity to be immersed in an ancient experience and to experiment with some extremely adult responsibilities and choices.
