Letter: Marathon scandal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Martin Mottram may be on to something when he asks (letter, 11 December) whether the original Marathon runner had consumed performance- enhancing drugs. According to Robert Browning's poem Pheidippides, "fennel a-tremble with dew" seems to have been the main substance.
However, as with all drug-related cases, the causes of death are complex. It seems that before proceeding to the fennel/dew cocktail, Pheidippides had been on oak, olive and bay which, when enwreathed, make the brows bold: this and his punishing training schedule - from Athens to Sparta and back in the days before the battle - were contributory factors.
Nevertheless, on the actual death certificate Browning recorded "joy in his blood" as "bursting his heart".
DAVID WALLACE
Hove, East Sussex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments