Marathon-class heavy cruiser

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser is a cruiser classification used by the UNSC Navy. At 1,190 meters, they are some of the largest and most powerful warships ever utilized by humanity, built as a replacement for their aging s. Their numbers are limited, and they are usually commanded by the highest ranking officers.

Description
These warships replaced the s. These behemoths, at 1,190 meters, are slightly under three times the length of a UNSC frigate. They are also known for their heavy armor; they can survive multiple plasma impacts and are able to sustain far greater damage than any UNSC frigate or destroyer can. Due to their size, durability and firepower (2 MACs as well as dozens of oversized Archer missile pods), these massive vessels are commanded by UNSC Admirals and primarily serve as flagships for UNSC fleets.

Use
Due to their diminishing numbers, and the onslaught of the genocidal Covenant, further numbers of these great cruisers were reassigned to the defense of the Inner Colonies in the latter years of the Human-Covenant War. They were considered extremely valuable in terms of firepower and armor, and it was seen to by the UNSC admiralty that they were only used in the most dire and occasional of circumstances. Marathons were present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV and the Fall of Reach. Twelve saw action at the Battle of Earth under Fleet Admiral Harper and another was part of Battle Group Stalingrad during the Battle of Onyx.

Ships of the line

 * - Flagship of Admiral Stanforth. Likely lost during the Fall of Reach.
 * - Destroyed in 2552.
 * - Destroyed in 2531.
 * - Present at the Battle of Earth.
 * - Destroyed over Biko. Carried a saddle box drive.

Trivia

 * In Halo: The Fall of Reach, the Marathon classification is erroneously labeled as a carrier.
 * The name Marathon could possibly be a reference to the Battle of Marathon, fought in 490 BC where heavily outnumbered Athenians and Plataeans defeated an army of Persians who were trying to conquer Greece. This battle was also simulated by Wellsley, Antonio Silva's AI, while he was unoccupied in Halo: The Flood. This battle also gave its name to Bungie's previous Marathon game series, and the name of this classification of ships may be a reference to the said series.
 * In Halo: The Fall of Reach, it is mentioned that the Leviathan was one of twenty UNSC cruisers left in the Fleet, which were being slowly pulled back to protect the Inner Colonies. Eight of them were present in the UNSC Home Fleet in October 2552.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Tug o' War
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
 * Halo Graphic Novel
 * Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa
 * Halo Wars: Genesis
 * Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp