Hemerodromos

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The Hemerodromos was a day runner or courier in ancient Greece .

The term ( ancient Greek ἡμεροδρόμος ), Pl. Hemerodromen or Hemerodromoi, also Hemerodromi, is made up of the Greek words for "day" ( ἡμέρα heméra ) and "run" ( δρόμος drómos ).

As experienced high-speed runners, hemerodromes were able to cover large distances (mostly) within a day in order to deliver important messages in the shortest possible time.

Ancient authors tell of the remarkable achievements of several named hemerodromes. For example, the legendary run of the famous courier Pheidippides is reported in the 5th century BC. Chr. From Marathon to Athens to bring the news of the Athenian victory over the Persians.

Hemerodromes were also used as scouts in battles sent out by their generals , e.g. B. to observe enemy troop movements or to scout out terrain and report on them.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. Herodotus , 6.105.
  2. Herodotus , 7,192.