Why were the Spartans unable to arrive before the Battle of Marathon ended?

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The Spartans were unable to arrive in time for the Battle of Marathon because they were observing a religious festival known as the Carneia, during which they were prohibited from waging war.1

According to historical accounts, the Spartans were required to wait until the moon was full to complete these religious observances. Consequently, although a runner named Pheidippides was sent to request their assistance, the Spartan force did not reach the area until after the battle had concluded, arriving only in time to view the battlefield the following day. While some scholars have suggested that internal concerns regarding helot unrest may have also influenced Spartan hesitation, the religious requirement remains the primary explanation for their delayed arrival.123