Is there potential here for Greece? Could the battlefield become a historical tourism attraction with signs and an interpretive center, like Gettysburg? Or even the site of reenactments like those at Hastings in England, where Norman and Saxon warriors relive events on the 1066 battlefield?

The battles among Olympic rowers will be won and lost here next summer, but the battles over nature and history show every sign of continuing.

Elena Pappas has worked on conservation and ecotourism in the U.S. and Greece.

LATEST NEWS VIDEOS Stuck Mars Rover About to Die? Giant Salamanders Helped to Spawn Rare Gorillas Spied Feasting on Figs More Videos in the News

SOURCES AND RELATED WEB SITES National Geographic Traveler Athens 2004: Official Site About.com: The Battle of Marathon