Plataeans only amounted to a thousand men: and this little
column, marching from their city along the southern ridge of
Mount Cithaeron, and thence across the Attic territory, joined
the Athenian forces above Marathon almost immediately before the
battle. The reinforcement was numerically small; but the gallant
spirit of the men who composed it must have made it of tenfold
value to the Athenians: and its presence must have gone far to
dispel the cheerless feeling of being deserted and friendless,
which the delay of the Spartan succours was calculated to create
among the Athenian ranks.

This generous daring of their weak but true-hearted ally was
never forgotten at Athens. The Plataeans were made the fellow-
countrymen of the Athenians, except the right of exercising
certain political functions; and from that time forth in the
solemn sacrifices at Athens, the public prayers were offered up
for a joint blessing from Heaven upon the Athenians, and the
Plataeans also. [Mr. Grote observes (vol. iv. p. 484), that
"this volunteer march of the whole Plataean force to Marathon is
one of the most affecting incidents of all Grecian history." In
truth, the whole career of Plataea, and the friendship, strong
even unto death, between her and Athens, form one of the most
affecting episodes in the history of antiquity. In the
Peloponnesian War the Plataeans again were true to the Athenians
against all risks and all calculation of self-interest; and the
destruction of Plataea was the consequence. There are few nobler
passages in the classics than the speech in which the Plataean
prisoners of war, after the memorable siege of their city,
justify before their Spartan executioners their loyal adherence
to Athens. (See Thucydides, lib. iii. secs. 53-60.)]