Here's some samples of the Persian units:
Sometimes infantry forms more than three quarters of a Royal Iranian army and most of these infantry are levy peasants, called Payâhdag-î Nîzagân. Especially when siege warfare is expected their numbers swelled the army. Payâhdag-î Nîzagân are not supposed to be frontline troops, they are supposed to guard the baggage train, storm fortifications, undertake entrenchment work, serve as pages for the Savaran and exvacate mines.
These men are more highly regarded and are recruited from regions within the Sassanid Empire. They are used as skirmishing troops.
Among Iranians foot archers are highly rearded. Archery is a key to win battles and training is hard and heavily emphasized. In both sieges and field battles foot archers have proven themselves again and again as decisive. They are to soften up the enemy before the elite Savaran are going to attack. In defence they are entrusted to stop enemy cavalry and infantry attacks. Each archer unit is led by an officer called Tirbad. He organizes his men into groups so that one can telieve the other while maintaining a rapid fire rate.
These archers are of lower caste, but more respected than common levy warrior. Their equipment is better and they are more professional soldiers than Paighan. Standard battle tactics are that they are deployed before the spearmen, firing from behind a wall of shields, retiring through them to avoid close combat.
Even though Sassanid armies consisted of mainly cavalry and lesser infantry there were regions around the Empire where they could recruit more heavily armed infantry, though in much smaller numbers. Featured above is the Arteshtâr-î Gęlânîg ( Ghilani Infantry ) and the Jangavaran madi ( Median Infantry ).
Even though Sassanid armies consisted of mainly cavalry and lesser infantry there were regions around the Empire where they could recruit more heavily armed infantry, though in much smaller numbers. Featured above is the Arteshtâr-î Daylamîg ( Deylamite Infantry ) and the Arteshtâr-î Suqd ( Sughdian Warriors ).
This figure represents a dismounted Savaran that would be used during seiges to assist in storming the battlements.
- Cavalry -
Among the Iranian warrior caste the Savârân knights are the elite and holds a special position of honour in the Sassanian Spah (army). First, only nobles of both the seven Great Clans and the Azadans formed their ranks. Later, after King Khosrow I. (532-579 AD) reforms, the lower Dehkan nobililty were allowed to enter the ranks of the Savaran and so increased the available manpower of Imperial forces.
The Savaran are the forerunners of medieval knights, their influence in development of weaponry, battle tactics and costumes for Romano-Byzantines and medieval Europe was great. Each Savaran units seems to have had their own banner and coat of arms (the Drafsh). Drafsh could either be flown as banners or worn as insignia by the Savaran. The Drafsh are displayed on a crosspole or –pole, however shield bosses and tunics could display them, either. There are many different banner designs with lions, tigers, gazelles, boars, wolves and mythological beasts. The Draco flags is especially popular.
Savaran are heavy cavalry, belonging to the cataphracts, with both man and horse protected by high quality armour. Though Savaran are not the answer to every tactical problem, they are true universal cavalrymen, well-versed in both archery and melee weapon.
In game the Savaran are represented by the seven great clans; Sassâni; Sűręn; Kâren; Aspâhbâd; Spândiyâdh; Mihrân; Guiw from various regions around the Empire.
Some powerful Parthian nobles, the House of Kâren and the House of Sűręn for example, were willing to accept Sassasian overlordship and were left in possession of their estates and were ranked with the princes of the royal blood and high Persian aristocrats. In time of war these Parthian nobles would present themselves and their vassals for service as part of the army. The Karenas, Karan-Vands, or Karen-Pahlevi as they are also called, claimed descent from Karen, a figure of folklore and son of the equally mythical Kava the blacksmith. The Karenas are first attested in the Arsacid era, specifically as one of the feudal houses affiliated with the Parthian court. In this they were similar to the House of Suren, the only other attested feudal house of the Parthian period. Following the conquest of the Parthians, the Karenas allied themselves with the Sassanids, at whose court they were identified as one of the so-called "Parthian clans."
Some powerful Parthian nobles, the House of Kâren and the House of Sűręn for example, were willing to accept Sassasian overlordship and were left in possession of their estates and were ranked with the princes of the royal blood and high Persian aristocrats. In time of war these Parthian nobles would present themselves and their vassals for service as part of the army. The Karenas, Karan-Vands, or Karen-Pahlevi as they are also called, claimed descent from Karen, a figure of folklore and son of the equally mythical Kava the blacksmith. The Karenas are first attested in the Arsacid era, specifically as one of the feudal houses affiliated with the Parthian court. In this they were similar to the House of Suren, the only other attested feudal house of the Parthian period. Following the conquest of the Parthians, the Karenas allied themselves with the Sassanids, at whose court they were identified as one of the so-called "Parthian clans."
Pictured here is a Savârân-î Sassâni Pâhlevi. This man is heavily armed with a Kontos, mace and sword, and wears a face mask.
Just as much as their infantry, Savârân-î Suqd (Sughdian cavalry) are tough, well disciplined, and well-equipped. They are certainly a match for most other civilized soldiers. In a society that fields several different forms of armored cavalry, the fact that they can hold their own really speaks volumes in favor of these men. Sughdians are a professional corps of fighters who can be expected to stand in a battle line and behave with great courage. Their equipment is lavish by the standards of previous times, and their armour is cleverly padded to give some relief under the hot sun. Sughdians should be seen as being the equals in many ways of the best of the Romans, and their superiors in some respects too!
Zhâyedân (“Immortals” in Pahlavi ), the most famous and most known of the Royal Guards units. They are super-heavy cavalry, with both men and horses armoured from head to toe. They were elite shock troops, intended to close in as fast as possible and wear down the enemy with powerful lance charges and and brutal melee attacks. Historically a force of 10,000 men, they are an elite within the Sassanian army. Only few selected Savaran veterans, who had proved them exceptionally in battle, were allowed to join the Zhayedan.
Their task was to secure any breakthrough, and they were often held as reserve force, entering the battle at crucial stages. They are the revival of the Achaemenid Immortals and so it is highly probably that their uniforms and insignia reflected Achaemenid tradition. Their commander bore the title of Varthragh-Nighan Khvadhay and often was a Prince of the Royal family.
The Pushtîghbân are the Royal bodyguard unit of the Sassanian Kings. Numbering perhaps 1,000 men they are the elite of the elite. Many members stern from the Great Clans or are other high ranking nobles of the Iranian feudal society and their loyality is unquestionable. They are enceased completely in iron mail with protective lamellar and laminated armor underneath as well as armored gloves. The tight fitting face masks have holes and slits for nose and eyes as well as protective mail behind and around the neck. Each knight carries a large kontos, a heavy sword, mace and axe. These “Iron-clad men” have no need for shields. The horse has has heavy armor protection for its legs and body. It was reported that some men had to lift up the warrior onto the saddle due to the immense weight of the armor.
Only the famous Nisean horse bred could carry such a weight into battle. It was written that these knight were so strong, that they could impale two enemies simultaneously. A certain countermeasure of the Romans against these “iron-clad men” was they tried to dive underneath the steed and stab its belly. The fallen knight was almost defenseless due the weight of his armor. Against the far more mobile and flexible steppe nomads equipped with powerful composite bows as the Hephtalites the superheavy knights often meet desaster if they are being left unsupported. They are superb for grinding down enemy formations, but they cannot be used for more 'traditional' cavalry duties such as pursuit and screening. They are an iron fist inside an iron glove, ready to pummel enemies into submission.
|
Preview II: The Sassanid Dynasty of Persia
Reply With Quote
Shapur, units, banners and all, are truly astonishing!
Another great preview. Keep it up!
Originally Posted by Heathen Hammer
