Phidipeles and the Virtue of the Messenger

In 490 BC, the Persian Empire decided to implement the plan to dominate Greece.
The strategy would be to land on the beach at Marathon and march to Athens, now the Greek capital.

• It was also promised that they would rape Athenian women and sacrifice their children. Knowing this, the Greeks ordered their wives to kill their children and commit suicide if they did not receive the news of victory.

Phidippedes was known to be an excellent runner. Therefore, after the victory of the battle, General Miltiades gave him the mission to run the 40 km or so between Marathon and Athens in less than a day to carry the message of victory over the Persians and to prevent the women from executing the plan.

Phidippedes ran as never before to accomplish his goal. When he arrived, he could only say to the Greeks: We won!

And, exhausted, he took his last breath and fell lifeless.

This shows us the noble virtue of the Archetype of the Messenger, who takes on a commitment greater than his own and does not fail to deliver what he needs.

To the true sons of Hermes, who have the winged feet and the caduceus in their hands, to give his word is a commitment that he will deliver the message no matter how much it transcends his individual limitations.

Author: Anonymous