Athletes & Sports · 21st Century
Pheidippides’s Last Words
“I have lived my truth.”— Pheidippides, Unknown
Who Was Pheidippides?
Pheidippides or Philippides (Φιλιππίδης) was a 5th-century-BC Athenian running courier who was the central figure in the story that inspired the marathon race.
The Final Moments
The circumstances surrounding Pheidippides's final moments are not fully documented in available historical records.
Are These Words Verified?
Pheidippides is a semi-legendary ancient Greek runner (c. 490 BCE). Later sources attribute 'Rejoice, we conquer!' (or 'Nike!') as his last words after Marathon, but these modern words are clearly fabricated.
Sources
- academic Herodotus, Histories
- academic Lucian, A Slip of the Tongue in Greeting
Legacy
Pheidippides's story continues to be discussed by historians and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Pheidippides’s last words?
“I have lived my truth.”
How did Pheidippides die?
Pheidippides died on Unknown. Cause of death: Natural Causes.
Were Pheidippides’s last words documented?
Pheidippides is a semi-legendary ancient Greek runner (c. 490 BCE). Later sources attribute 'Rejoice, we conquer!' (or 'Nike!') as his last words after Marathon, but these modern words are clearly fabricated.
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