Reuters
July 11, 2011
Modern Greeks may be suffering under the weight of debt, but they can hardly claim it to be a new experience.
Before launching himself upon invading Persian forces on a plain near this bucolic town in 490 BC, the great Athenian warrior Kallimachos pledged to sacrifice a young goat to the Gods for every enemy that was killed.
Like modern Greek leaders, however, Kallimachos rather underestimated what it would take to meet his obligations. His troops slaughtered some 6,400 invaders.
The Athenians didn't have that many young goats. So they spread the repayment and legend has it that it took them a century to honor the pledge.
In addition, Greeks do not have to look far to be reminded of foreign intervention in their affairs -- be it from Persians, crusaders, Ottomans, Germans or indeed, the International Monetary Fund, which with the European Union is demanding strict austerity in exchange for bailing out Greece's massive debt.
Marathon, in east Attica which gave its name to the endurance race after a runner took news of victory over the Persian invaders at the Battle of Marathon to Athens, is one example.
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