greycat Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) Persian ImmortalsTHE IMMORTALS Composite regiments in the Persian army are mentioned by Xenophon in the Cyropedia, comprising two ranks of infantry at the front, two of javelinmen or takabara, two of archers, and then at the back two ranks of 'file--closers', whose arms are not noted. This formation was designed to combine heavy missile power with heavy infantry. It is debatable whether such a formation really existed, although Alexander did attempt to form a composite phalanx of Macedonian and Persian forces towards the end of his campaign. If the composite regiment did exist, the evidence seems to suggest that the ten regiments of the Immortals might have been organized in this way, with some individuals carrying hoplite shields, others carrying the taka and some equipped as archers. These infantrymen, wearing tunics distinguished by purple collars and cuffs and hems decorated with silver braiding, are restored from the Alexander sarcophagus, and are likely to represent several different regiments of the Immortals, separate from the spear--bearers and the yellow and blue regiments distinctly shown in the carvings. All these figures seem to wear the purple tunic distinction and yellow hoods, though the hoods are worn by regiments other than the Immortals. The central figure carrying an axe wears a cloak with leopard-skin trim, and a lining made of the fur of small animals. The infantryman spearing the leopard is equipped as a cuirassed foot--soldier or officer from the front rank of a composite regiment. The archer at the left may also come from a composite regiment, one of several distinguished by scarlet tunics. Scarlet dye was obtained from the kermes oak, a tree especially abundant in ancient Iran. Edited November 12, 2013 by greycat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythos_Ruler Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycat Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) Alexander battling Darius at the Battle of Issus, November 5, 333 BC (Naples National Archaeological Museum) Edited November 12, 2013 by greycat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycat Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 (edited) Edited November 14, 2013 by greycat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycat Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 (edited) Edited November 14, 2013 by greycat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycat Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 The Greek and Persian Wars 500-323BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greycat Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 Persian Asabari Axe-man and Javelin thrower Cavalry 4 BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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