The next preview, the Sassanid Dynasty: Figure 1: Payâhdag-î Nîzagân (levy spearmen) formed the bulk of the Sassanid army, they are peasant levies and their number consists more than three quarters of the Sassanid army. They are good for siege warfare when they need most of them building siege mines, guarding baggage train, storming fortification and excavating trenches but they are really weak in morale, training and not to mention their equipment. Figure 2: Kurds, Syrians and Anatolian who offer their service for the Sassanid army, expert of skirmish and valuable missile support for the Sassanid army. Figure 3: Sassanid foot archers are the most valuable asset for the Sassanid army. For the Sassanid army foot archers have proven themselves a decisive instrument to achieve victory which have a deep impact to the Romans, Byzantines and the Arabs . Their task is to soften the enemy before the Savaran attack. Each archer unit is led by an officer called Tirbad. He's duty is to organizes his men into groups so that one can relieve the other while maintaining a rapid fire rate. Although they came from the lower caste but they earned more respect than a mere Payâhdag (peasant levy). Their equipment is better and they are . 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. Figure 4: Gilan infantry and Median infantry are the most valuable assets for the Sassanid army who lacks melee unit to encounter the Roman threat. Gilan infantry was mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus during the siege of Amida while Median infantry was mentioned by some historians to be the main source of the Sassanid regular infantry. Figure 5: Deylamites and Sughdian warrior are outlanders, although they consists of a small portion of the Sassanid army but they could turn tide between victory and defeat. Figure 6: Savaran may dismount from horseback when they were needed for assaulting fortress but it is rare they dismount during field battle. Figure 7: Parthian clans like Karens and Surens are among the Parthians who have defected to the Sassanids in order to save their own skin. In times of war they served the Sassanid army and in peace they enjoyed their wealth and power under the Sassanid protection. Figure 8: The Sassans proven to be the legitimate ruler of Persia by force, under Ardashir I's leadership they have successfully overthrow the Parthians and become the only superpower to challege Rome. This unit are a Savaran belongs to the House of Sassan, his armament consists a lance and a mace, shield was not used because it would prohibit the knight to charge home against the enemy. Figure 9: Sughdian cavalry like their infantry counterpart are well respected for their skills and courage, their reputation are legendary and their foe would think twice before confronting them in the battlefield. Figure 10: Zhâyedân ("Immortals" in Pahlavi ) are the elite among the Savaran, they are the elite reserve for the Sassanid army. Like the Anusiya, their number always maintain at 10000 man strong and the selection process was tough in order to choose the best among the veterans. Their uniform and insignia may probably reflect a strong Achaemenid tradition in order to revive the old Achaemenid Anusiya or Immortals. Leading them was a commander who bears the title of Varthragh-Nighan Khvadhay and mostly a Prince of the Royal family. Figure 11: The Pushtîghbân are the Royal bodyguard unit of the Sassanian Kings. Numbering perhaps 1,000 men they are the elite of the elite. They are spearhead of the Sassanid army, ready to bring to the enemies of Persia but they are not totally invincible. Nomads like the Hephlatites use composite bow and swift horse can easily bring them into submission when they are left without any additional support.