- Superior tactics: The Greek hoplites, phalanx were superior in close combat to the Persian infantry. The phalanx was a formation of heavily armored infantrymen who fought in close formation, using their large shields to protect themselves and their spears to attack. This formation was very difficult for the Persians to break through, and it proved to be the decisive factor in the battle.
- Home field advantage: The Greeks were fighting on their home turf, and they were familiar with the terrain. This gave them an advantage in terms of mobility and knowledge of the battlefield.
- Leadership: The Greek generals, particularly Miltiades, displayed great skill and leadership in planning and carrying out the battle. Miltiades recognized that the Persian cavalry posed the greatest threat to the Greeks, so he ordered his men to attack the cavalry first, before it could be deployed effectively.
- Surprise attack: The Greek attack took the Persians by surprise. The Persians were expecting a frontal assault, but instead, the Greeks attacked them from the flank, catching them off guard and disrupting their formations.
- Persians Overconfidence: The Persians were overconfident and underestimated the Greek forces. Darius believed that the Greek hoplites were no match for the Persian infantry and cavalry. This overconfidence led to complacency and made the Persians vulnerable to the Greek surprise attack.