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Army Lists

PERSIA, IRAN AND INDIA

Contents

Creating an army with the Mortem et Gloriam Army Lists

Historical Introduction

1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin

Mandatory Optional Max

Experienced 0 2,3,4Bow 4

Experienced 4 4,6Bow 6




Unskilled 0 4,6Javelin 6

Experienced 0 4Bow 4





- 0 6,9- 9


- -Formed Loose

Replace Crescent shield archers and spearmen

INFANTRYAverage Protected Short Spear

Combat Shy -Formed Loose

Crescent shield spearmen (only from 465 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Protected Short Spear - -

Formed Loose

Crescent shield archers (only from 465 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Unprotected -

Pavise Orb/SquareDrilled Loose

SparabaraINFANTRY

Average Unprotected Short Spear Pavise Combat ShyFormed Loose

ImmortalsINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear

Combat Shy -Tribal Loose

Guard Immortals - Applebearers

INFANTRYSuperior Protected Short Spear Pavise Orb/Square

Drilled Loose

Arab camelry (only from 538 B.C.)

CAMELRYPoor Unprotected -

- -Formed Flexible

Indian Cavalry (only from 516 B.C.)

CAVALRYAverage Protected - - -

Tribal Loose

Saka horse archers (only from 545 B.C.)

CAVALRYAverage Unprotected -

- -Drilled Loose

Iranian cavalryCAVALRY

Average Protected Short Spear - -Formed Loose

Satrapal guard cavalryCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear

- -Formed Loose

Guard cavalryCAVALRY

Exceptional Protected Short Spear - -Drilled Loose

Persian chariots (only before 484 B.C.)

CHARIOTSSuperior Protected Battle Chariot

Achaemenid Persian - Royal ArmyArmy Commander Any Instinctive 550 B.C. to 424 B.C.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, Coastal, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and

Version 2 - 28th February 2017 © SHALL Enterprises Ltd

Achaemenid Persian - Royal Army- 0 6,8- 8- 0 6,8,9- 9- 0 6,8- 8

Unskilled 0 6,8,9Javelin 9




Experienced 0 6,9Javelin 18

Saka allies - Early Scythian or Saka (530 B.C.) (Any Instinctive)

Historical NotesThe Achaemenid empire was founded by Cyrus the Great who conquered the Median (550 B.C.), Lydian (546 B.C.) and Babylonian (539 B.C.) empires. His son Cambyses II conquered Egypt creating the largest empire the world had yet known. In response to mainland Greeks sending aid to rebellious Greek cities in Asia Minor Darius I sent an expedition that was beaten by the Athenians at Marathon (490 B.C.). Ten years later his son, Xerxes I, launched a full scale invasion of Greece that was defeated at Salamis by sea and Plataea on land. The final defeat of the Persians at Mycale encouraged the Greek cities of Asia to revolt, and the Persians lost all of their territories in Europe. After Xerxes I was assassinated, he was succeeded by his eldest son Artaxerxes I who ruled until 424 B.C. Hostilities between Persia and the Greeks continued until 450 B.C.

Combat Shy -Skirmisher

AlliesMede rebel allies - Median (550 B.C.) (Any Instinctive)

Asiatic javelinmenINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

- CantabrianSkirmisher

Asiatic archersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected - Combat Shy -Skirmisher

Horse archersCAVALRY

Average Unprotected -

- -Tribal Loose

Levied archersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected - - Combat ShyTribal Loose

Asiatic hillmenINFANTRY


Integral shooters -Drilled Close

Subject Greek Hoplites (only from 545 B.C.)

INFANTRYPoor Protected Long Spear

Shove, Shield Cover

Orb/SquareFormed Close

Assyrian and Chaldean foot (only from 538 B.C.)


Lydian hoplites (only from 545 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Protected Long Spear Combat Shy Orb/Square

Tribal Close


Achaemenid Persian - Royal Army

Changes from last versionNew list.

Troop NotesThe Royal army is assumed to be any army commanded by the King of Kings. As such he could levy troops from anywhere in the Empire, as Xerxes did in 480 B.C. to invade Greece. The core of the Persian army were the Immortals. A division of 10,000 (baivarabam) consisting of the best Persian, Median or Elamite youth. A unit 1,000 picked troops who constituted the King's personal guard and were selected from this division. A guard unit of 1,000 cavalry also accompanied the King.The Persians inherited their military approach from the Medes. The main weapon was the bow, each file of 10 consisting of 9 archers protected by the Spear-bearer (sparabara) who carried a spear and pavise.Cavalry were also primarily bow armed.


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin








Experienced 0 4,6

Bow 8





- 0 6,9- 9

Combat Shy -Formed Loose

Crescent shield spearmen(only from 465 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Protected Short Spear - -

Formed Loose

Crescent shield archers (only from 465 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Unprotected -

Pavise Combat ShyFormed Loose

Sparabara (Western satrapies)

INFANTRYAverage Unprotected Short Spear Pavise Combat Shy

Formed Loose

Sparabara (Eastern satrapies)INFANTRY

Average Unprotected Short Spear


ImmortalsINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear Pavise Orb/SquareDrilled Loose

Arab camelry (Arabian, Egyptian and Syrian satrapies only)

CAMELRYPoor Unprotected -

- -Formed Flexible

Indian Cavalry (Indian satrapy only from 516 B.C.)

CAVALRYAverage Protected - - -

Tribal Loose

Scythian horse archers (Western satrapies)


- -Formed Loose

Saka horse archers (Eastern satrapies)

CAVALRYAverage Unprotected - - -

Formed Flexible



- -Formed Loose

Satrapal guard cavalryCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear - -Drilled Loose

Persian chariots (only before 484 B.C.)

CHARIOTSSuperior Protected Battle Chariot

Achaemenid Persian - Satrapal ArmyArmy Commander Any Instinctive 530 B.C. to 424 B.C.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, Coastal, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Achaemenid Persian - Satrapal ArmyExperienced 0 6,8

Bow 24- 0 6,8- 16

- 0 6,8,9

- 27

- 0 6,8

- 24






NotesEastern Satrapies include Persis; Elam; Babylonia and Assyria; Media; Armenia; India; Gandara and Sattagydia; Caspia and Hyrcania; Paricania, Gedrosia and Carmania; Maka, Drangiana and Sargatia; Arachosia; Bactria; Sacae; Dahae; Parthia; Aria; Chorasmia and Sogdia; Scythia.Western satrapies include Pamphyilia, Ionia and Caria; Lydia; Paphalagonia and Hellespontines; Cappadocia; Cilicia; Syria; Egypt and Libya; Arabia; Thrace, Macedon and Greece.The number of Immortals cannot exceed the number of Sparabara. From 465 B.C. mandatory Sparabara may be replaced with crescent shield troops.


AlliesMedizing Greek allies (479 B.C.) (Any) - Thrace, Macedon and Greece satrapy only

Asiatic javelinmenINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


Asiatic archersINFANTRY


Horse archers (Eastern satrapies only)


- -Tribal Loose

Levied archers (Eastern satrapies only)

INFANTRYPoor Unprotected - - Combat Shy

Tribal Loose

Asiatic hillmenINFANTRY


Integral shooters -Drilled Close

Subject Greek Hoplites (Thrace, Macedon and Greece, Ionian, Carian and Lydian satrapies only)

INFANTRYPoor Protected Long Spear

Shove, Shield Cover

Orb/SquareFormed Close

Assyrian and Chaldean foot (Syrian, Assyria and Babylonian Satrapies only)


- -Formed Loose

Lydian hoplites (Lydian satrapy only)

INFANTRYAverage Protected Long Spear Combat Shy Orb/Square

Tribal Close

Replace Crescent shield archers and spearmen



Achaemenid Persian - Satrapal Army

Satraps might be given divisions of Immortals to command (such as Mardonius in 479 B.C.). Troops would be a core of Persian, Median or Elamites supplemented by local levied troops.

Changes from last versionNew list.

Historical NotesThe satrapal system was adopted by Cyrus the Great around 530 B.C. as the Persian empire was too large to be controlled centrally.

Troop Notes


1 Dates1-3 Terrain0-2 Camp

Min







- 0 4,6

- 6


- 0 6,8,9- 30




- 0 6,8,9- 30

Optionally upgrade troops as Mauryans (from 321 to 180 B.C.)

Cavalry Average Unprotected - - Combat Shy

Javelinmen Average Protected Short Spear - Combat Shy

Spearmen Average Protected Short Spear -Formed Loose

INFANTRYFormed Loose

INFANTRYCombat Shy

Formed Loose

- Combat ShyTribal Loose

CAVALRY

ArchersINFANTRY



SpearmenINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Combat ShyTribal Loose

JavelinmenINFANTRY


- -Tribal Loose

Replace cavalry with Armoured lancers(Guptas from 320 A.D.)

CAVALRYSuperior Protected

Charging Lancer

- Melee ExpertFormed Loose

CavalryCAVALRY

Average Protected -

- -Tribal Loose

Horse archers (only after 150 B.C.)

CAVALRYAverage Unprotected - - -

Formed Flexible

Replace elephants or chariots with bullock or camel carts

BATTLE WAGONSAverage Protected -

Shove -Tribal Loose

Chariots (only before 320 A.D.)

CHARIOTSSuperior Protected Battle Chariot - -

Formed Loose

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Classical IndianArmy Commander Any Instinctive 500 B.C. to 450 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, JungleInternal Allied Generals Any Instinctive Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Classical IndianExperienced 8 6,8

Bow 90


Experienced 0 6,9Sling 9

- Combat Shy

------

NotesThe number of javelinmen and spearmen cannot exceed the number of archers.Foot TUGs may combine 1/3 spearmen with 2/3 archers in a unit of 6 or 9.

Historical NotesBy 6th century BC there were four major kingdoms and many minor kingdoms spread across the Indo-Gangetic plains of northern India. Early "republics" such as the Vajji (or Vriji) confederation centered in the city of Vaishali also flourished. In 530 BC Cyrus the Great, King of the Persian Achaemenid Empire crossed the Hindu-Kush mountains to seek tribute from the tribes of Kamboja, Gandhara and the trans-India region (modern eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan). Persian control and influence persisted for the next two centuries. India supplied troops to Persian armies.Alexander the Great arrived in 326 B.C. after defeating the Persians. There he defeated King Porus in the Battle of the Hydaspes (near modern-day Jhelum, Pakistan) and conquered much of the Punjab. Having reached the Hyphasis (modern Beas River) it refused to march further east. The invasion of Alexander had repercussions in the Northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. The Maurya Empire (322 B.C. to 185 B.C.) stretched to the north up to the natural boundaries of the Himalayas and to the east into what is now Assam. To the west, it reached the Hindu Kush mountains and into Arachosia (southern Afghanistan).The Satavahana Empire (c. 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.) controlled much of central India. To the north and east the Shunga Empire (187 B.C. to 78 B.C.) controlled much of the Ganges basin.With the collapse of the Mauryan empire, the Greaco-Bactrian king Demetrus invaded India and an Indo-Greek kingdom was established by 175 B.C. Under Menander (c. 155 B.C. to 130 B.C.) the kingdom expanded greatly covering much of north-west and northern India. It then disintegrated into smaller kingdoms, the last Indo-Greek king, Strato II ruled until c 10 A.D.The Greeks were supplanted by the Scythians and then the Kushans. By the By the 3rd century, the Kushan empire in India was disintegrating. Much of India was re-united under the Gupta empire (c. 320 A.D. to 550 A.D). The Guptas successfully resisted invasions from the north-west until the arrival of the Hunas (Hephtalite Huns) in the mid 5th century A.D.


SlingersINFANTRY


Skirmishers with bowINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

INFANTRYFormed Loose

Archers Average Unprotected -


Classical IndianTroop NotesTraditional Indian armies were formed of four troop types, elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry.Not all states had elephants or chariots. Chariots were probably pulled by two horses with 2 or possibly 3 crew.Cavalry were equipped with shields and short spears.The majority of infantry were archers although some carried javelins or short spears and shields. All troops might carry a sword. Some troops used clubs. Outside of nobles, armour appears to have been rare.Skirmishers included archers and slingers.The Indians did adopt some weapons and fighting styles from the nations that invaded them.

Changes from last versionIndian foot reclassified.


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin






- 0 4,6- 8

Unskilled 0 4Javelin 4

- All

-

Experienced 0 6Bow 6


- 0 6,8,9- 18- 0 6,8- 24

Devastating Chargers

Melee Expert

Guard infantry Superior Protected Short Spear - Orb/Square

- -Formed Loose

Mercenary hoplitesINFANTRY

Average Protected Long SpearShove, Shield

CoverOrb/Square

Drilled Close

Crescent shield spearmenINFANTRY


Bactrian and Saka cavalryCAVALRY

Average Unprotected - - -Formed Flexible

------

Drilled Close

CAVALRY

Drilled Loose

INFANTRY

Kinsmen cavalry Superior Protected Short Spear -Drilled Loose

Upgrade kinsmen cavalry with lances (only in 331 B.C.)

Superior Protected -

- -Tribal Close

CAVALRYOnly if the C-in-C is the King

-

Replace best cavalry with armoured cavalry

CAVALRYSuperior Fully Armoured Short Spear

- -Formed Loose

Levied cavalryCAVALRY

Poor Protected Short Spear - -Formed Loose

CavalryCAVALRY


- -Formed Loose

Cavalry with bowCAVALRY


Best cavalryCAVALRY


Later Achaemenid PersianArmy Commander Any 423 B.C. to 329 B.C.Sub-Generals Any Plains, Coastal, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Later Achaemenid Persian- 0 8

- 16

- 0 6,8- 24- 0 6,8- 24


Experienced 0 6Javelin 6






- 0 2,3,4- 4

NotesIphicretean peltasts are not allowed if the C-in-C is king.

Scythed chariotsCHARIOTS

Poor Protected Battle Chariot Expendable -Formed Loose


JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

- -Skirmisher

ArchersINFANTRY


Mercenary peltastsINFANTRY


- -Tribal Loose

Paphlagonian or Arachosian cavalry

CAVALRYAverage Unprotected - Combat Shy Cantabrian

Skirmisher

ThraciansINFANTRY


- -Formed Loose

HillmenINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear - -Tribal Loose

TakabaraINFANTRY


- Orb/SquareFormed Close

Asiatic hoplites and kardakaINFANTRY

Poor Protected Long SpearShove, Shield

CoverOrb/Square

Formed Close

Regrade mercenary hoplites as Iphicratean peltasts (only from 374 to 353 B.C.)

INFANTRYAverage Protected Pike


Later Achaemenid Persian

Changes from last versionShort spear cavalry have javelins. Reclassified best cavalry. Added cavalry with bow. Guard infantry only available if C-in-C is king. Added option to upgrade hoplites to Iphicretean peltasts. Added takabara. Increased number of hillmen.

Artaxerxes was succeeded by his son Xerxes II but he was immediately assassinated on the orders of his illegitimate brother, Sogdianus. Sogdianus was captured and killed by his half-brother Darius II. In 404 B.C. Darius died. The eldest son Artaxerxes II inherited the throne. His younger brother Cyrus rebelled and hired 10,000 Greek mercenaries including Xenophon. The army of Cyrus was stopped at the battle of Cunaxa (401 B.C.). At this time Egypt revolted. Artaxerxes ruled for 45 years. Artaxerxes II became involved in a war with Persia's erstwhile allies, the Spartans, who, under Agesilaus II, invaded Asia Minor. In 385 B.C. he campaigned against the Cadusians. An attempt to reconquer Egypt in 373 B.C. was completely unsuccessful, but an Egyptian and Spartan effort to conquer Phoenicia was defeated. Between 372 B.C. and 362 B.C. he quashed a series of revolts by satraps in Asia Minor.Artaxerxes III inherited the throne in 358 B.C. He defeated a revolt by Artabazus of Lydia. In 351 B.C. he attempted to recover Egypt but suffered a crushing defeat that led to Phoenicia, Asia Minor and Cyprus declaring independence. An attempt to recover Phoenicia was defeated and Artaxerxes III personally led an army to recapture Sidon. This was followed by an invasion of Egypt and the rebels were defeated at the battle of Pelusium. Also in 343 B.C. a force was sent to recover Cyprus. Artaxerxes III and his son were assasinated and Darius III, previously satrap of Armenia was placed on the throne. In 334 B.C., just after the Persians had subdued another revolt in Egypt, Alexander the Great led an invasion of Asia Minor. Alexander defeated the Persian armies at Granicus (334 B.C.), Issue (333 B.C.) and Gaugamela (331 B.C.). Darius was taken prisoner by Bessus, satrap of Bactria and murdered. Bessus was captured by Alexander, put on trial in a Persian court and executed.

Troop NotesDuring the 5th century B.C. the earlier Persian system of paying tribute directly to the King was modified. The satraps retained some of the tribute to pay for local defence. The satraps increasingly relied on mercenaries rather than the households of the Persian nobles.Cavalry adopted shields (probably from the Saka) during the 5th century B.C. The use of the spear and shock tactics increased, particularly in the west. The bow was still used in the east. During the 4th century B.C. the quality of much of the cavalry deteriorated.Infantry were largely mercenaries recruited both inside and outside the empire. Large number of Greeks were employed, particularly in the west. The Persians also recruited tribesmen from Pisidia, Mysia and Hyrcania. Kardaka appear to have been Asian troops trained as hoplites to replace the shortage of Greeks in the 4th century B.C. Iphicrates may have introduced his reforms for the Persian army that invaded Egypt.Scythed chariots. These appear to have been introduced at this time to break up enemy formations before the cavalry charged.

Historical Notes


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 4,6- 8


Skilled 4,6Bow Up to half


Experienced 0 6,8,9Javelin 9




Historical Notes

During the 4th century the equipment of the nobles became heavier and developed into the cataphract. These were supported by the horse archer. Infantry, if present, were equipped either with bows, slings or javelins and short spears.

Changes from last versionNone.

Troop Notes

Saka tribes including the Parni, Dahae and Massagetae occupied the steppe to the north of the Parthian and Bactrian satrapies. Around 250 B.C. the Parni invaded Parthia which led to the establishment of the Parthian empire. The migration of the Yeuzhi displaced the remaining Saka who invaded Bactria around 140 B.C. resulting in the collapse of the Graeco-Bactrian kingdom. One group of Saka settled in Seistan. Some Saka then invaded and established kingdoms in India (see Indo-Scythian list).


SlingersINFANTRY


ArchersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

- -Tribal Loose


Average Unprotected - - CantabrianSkirmisher

Foot spearmenINFANTRY

Poor Protected Short Spear

- -Formed Flexible

Foot archersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected - - -Tribal Loose

Upgrade horse archersCAVALRY


Shove -Tribal Close



Nobles and followersCAVALRY

Average Fully Armoured Long Spear

Later SakaArmy Commander Any Instinctive 300 B.C. to 130 B.C.Sub-Generals Any Instrinctive PlainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 2,3,4- 4- 4 4,6- 6- 4 4,6- 12- 0 4,6- 6


- 0 8- 16- 0 6,8- 18






Mountain Indian cavalryCAVALRY



Bactrian light horseCAVALRY

Average Unprotected Short Spear - CantabrianSkirmisher

Mountain Indian archersINFANTRY


Shove Orb/SquareDrilled Close

Mountain Indian spearmenINFANTRY


ThureophoroiINFANTRY

Average Protected Long Spear

- -Formed Flexible

PhalanxINFANTRY

Average Protected Pike Shove Orb/SquareFormed Close

Saka horse archersCAVALRY



CataphractsCAVALRY

Average Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Formed Close


Average ProtectedCharging

Lancer

Shove -Tribal Loose

XystophoroiCAVALRY

Superior ProtectedCharging

Lancer- Melee Expert

Drilled Loose

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Graeco-BactrianArmy Commander Any Professional 250 B.C. to 140 B.C.Sub-Generals Any Professional Plains, Mountains

Internal Allied GeneralsUnfortified or Flexible; Poor, Average or Superior

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Graeco-BactrianExperienced 0 6,9

Javelin 9Skilled 0 6,9Bow 9

Historical Notes

Troop NotesElephants: The Graeco-Bactrian kingdoms used Elephants, presumably obtained from the Mauryans.Cavalry: Greek coins do show cavalry using the Xyston. The Greek cavalry must have been supplemented by Bactrian nobles and their followers who had been present before the invasion by Alexander the Great.Infantry: Pike butts were found during the excavations at Ai Khanum. A pikemen was represented on a Greek coin. The presence of Thureophoroi seems likely given the influx of Greek mercenaries prior to and during this period.Mountain Indians would have been recruited from Arachosia and the Parpamisadae.


Around 250 B.C. Diodotus, the satrap of Bactria, declared independence by issuing coins with his own portrait. Although forced by Antiochus III to submit, the Bactrian kingdom regained its independence which it maintained until the invasion of the Saka and Yuehzhi tribes (including the Kushans) in around 140 B.C. During this time the kingdom was strong enough to invade India undoubtedly helped by the collapse of the Mauryan empire.

- Combat ShySkirmisher

Cretan archersINFANTRY


EuzenoiINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Melee ExpertSkirmisher


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 4,6- 12- 6 4,6- 12- 0 6,8,9- 18






Allies

Armenian allies (From 127 B.C.) (Any Instinctive)Hatrene, Adiabene or Edessan subject allies - Parthian Vassal (From 127 B.C.) (Any)Elymaian allies - Parthian Vassal (From 127 B.C.) (Any)Nomadic Arab allies - Pre-Islamic Arab (From 127 B.C.) (Any Instinctive)Labienus Roman allies (From 40 B.C. to 39 B.C.) (Any Professional)Scythian allies - Later Scythian (130 B.C. to 41 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)

Seleucid allies (129 B.C.) (Mediocre Professional)Commagene allies (From 129 B.C. to 35 B.C.) (Any)


JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


ArchersINFANTRY




Shove Orb/SquareFormed Close

HillmenINFANTRY


City militiaINFANTRY

Poor Protected Long Spear

Shove -Tribal Close

CataphractsCAVALRY

Average Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Tribal Close

Royal and nobles guard cataphracts

CAVALRYSuperior Fully Armoured Long Spear

ParthianArmy Commander Any Instinctive 250 B.C. to 225 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Mobile; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Parthian

The Parthians were a Saka tribe, the Parni, who invaded Parthia in the mid-3rd century B.C. Under Mithridates I (171 B.C. to 138 B.C.) the Parthians expanded into Media and Mesopotamia. They then came into conflict with Armenia and then Rome. They soundly defeated Crassus at the battle of Carrhae (53 B.C.). In 40 and 39 B.C. they raided throughout Syria and Asia Minor but were defeated by Ventidius. In the following 250 years the Romans regularly raided deep into Parthian territory, occupying Ctesiphon on multiple occasions but were never able to hold on to them. The dynasty was ended when Ardashir I established the Sassanid empire in 224 A.D.

The cavalry appear to have been largely supplied by the nobles and their followers.Cataphracts: Introduced from the steppes but existing in the Seleucid kingdom before the arrival of the Parthians, the cataphracts were fully armoured riders on armoured horses equipped with a long spear.Horse archers: Comprising the largest component of the army, the horse archer was equipped with a bow and some also carried light spears. They relied upon rate of fire and the ability to evade opponents. Once an opponent was disrupted the horse archers might charge in. On at least one occasion the horse archers believed the Romans to be disrupted, charged in and were then beaten.Infantry: Infantry were largely used as garrison troops for cities and frontier defences. 20,000 infantry were raised against the Alanes in 136 A.D.


Historical Notes

Troop Notes


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 0 2,3,4- 6- 4 4- 4

Unskilled Bow All or none

- 0 4,6- 6



- 8 8- 16- 0 6,8- 12




- 0 6,8,9- 9



Indian archersINFANTRY



Indian spearmenINFANTRY

Average Protected Short Spear - Combat ShyTribal Loose

Indian javelinmenINFANTRY


- -Tribal Loose

Arachosian archersINFANTRY

Average Unprotected - Combat Shy -Tribal Loose

Arachosian spearmenINFANTRY


Shove Orb/SquareFormed Close

ThureophoroiINFANTRY

Average Protected Long Spear Shove Orb/SquareDrilled Close

PhalanxINFANTRY

Average Protected Pike

- -Formed Flexible

Indian CavalryCAVALRY

Average Protected - - -Tribal Loose



- Melee ExpertDrilled Loose


Average ProtectedCharging


Formed Loose

Reclassify Greek cavalry with bows

CAVALRYSuperior Protected Short Spear

Shove -Tribal Loose

Greek cavalryCAVALRY

Superior ProtectedCharging


Drilled Loose

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Indo-GreekArmy Commander Any Professional 180 B.C. to 10 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Professional Plains, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Indo-GreekExperienced 0 4,6

Javelin 8Experienced 0 6,9

Javelin 9Skilled 0 6.9Bow 9


Changes from last versionIncreased maximum number of Elephants. Added Iranian cavalry. Reclassified Indian foot.

Historical NotesSometime after 200 B.C. the Graeco-Bactrian kings occupied Arachosia. During the following decades the kings expanded towards India as the Mauryan empire collapsed. This power reached its peak under Menander who probably ruled from 155 BC. Greek rule at this period extended to Ravi river and the Swat valley. After the death of Menander the kingdom disintegrated into a number of smaller states, some of which survived into the 1st century B.C.

Troop NotesTroop classifications are based upon limited evidence and by association with Graeco-Bactrian and Indian armies of the period.Elephants: The Elephant scalp headdress is a feature of Indo-Greek coins.Cavalry: Indo-Greek coins depict a lancer who also carries a bow. They have been classified as lancers.


NotesIndian foot can be combined in TuGs of 1/3 spearmen and 2/3 archers in units of 6 or 9.

ArchersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -

- Melee ExpertSkirmisher

Cretan archersINFANTRY

Average Unprotected - - Combat ShySkirmisher

EuzenoiINFANTRY


Arachosian light horseCAVALRY



1 Dates1-3 Terrain

CampMin


- 4 4,6- 16


- 0 2,3,4- 6



- 0 6,8,9- 9





- Combat Shy

-----

Shove -

Indian cavalry Average Protected - - -

NotesIndian foot can be combined in TuGs of 1/3 spearmen and 2/3 archers in units of 6 or 9.

- Combat Shy


ArchersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


Arachosian or Mountain Indian light horse

CAVALRYAverage Unprotected - - Cantabrian

Skirmisher



INFANTRYTribal Loose

Indian spearmen Average Protected Short Spear -Tribal Loose

Indian archers Average Unprotected -

INFANTRYTribal LooseINFANTRY

Combat Shy

Indian javelinmen Average Protected

Tribal Loose

Short Spear

ELEPHANTSTribal LooseCAVALRY

Only after 70 B.C.

Elephants Average Protected -

Shove -Tribal Close



CataphractsCAVALRY

Superior Fully Armoured Long Spear

Kushan or Indo-ScythianArmy Commander Any Instinctive 150 B.C. to 500 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Mobile or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Kushan or Indo-Scythian

Troop Notes

Changes from last versionReclassified Indian foot. Corrected numbers of Arachosian light horse.

Historical NotesPressed by the migration of the Yuezhi, the Saka (Scythian) tribesinvaded Bactria and Parthia. Against the Parthians they won several battles and it required the Parthian king Mithridates II to reconquer areas including Seistan. From Seistan they advanced south and east into what is now southern Pakistan. They later appear to have also moved northwards replacing some of the Indo-Greek kings. In the 1st century A.D. they also advanced further south-eastwards into modern India. Their power declined in the second century A.D. and they were eventually destroyed by the Gupta Empire towards the end of the 4th century A.D.The Kushans were one of the five noble clans of the Yuezhi who conquered the Graeco-Bactrian kingdom around 135 B.C. By 1 A.D. they had achieved dominance over the other clans. The Yuezhi started encroaching on northern India from c. 70 B.C. onwards and at the height of its power, the Kushan empire included Bactria, Sogdia and much of Northern India. After 240 A.D. its western territories were lost to the Sassanid Persians and in the 4th century A.D. its eastern territories were conquered by the expanding Gupta empire. The remaining Kushan territories fell to the Hephthalite Huns by the end of the 5th century A.D.

Depictions of Kushan warriors include cataphracts and horse archers. The Indo-Scythian and Kushans in India also appear to have made use of local warriors. The use of Elephants is also attested.


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- 0 4,6- 6- 0 4,6- 12- 0 4,6- 6






Historical Notes

The nobility in these states fought in the same way as the Parthians. Larger numbers of locally supplied infantry were also used.


Troop Notes

The Parthian Arsacid rulers were titled the "King of Kings", as a claim to be the heirs to the Achaemenid Empire. They accepted many local kings as vassals where the Achaemenids would have had centrally appointed, albeit largely autonomous, satraps. This includes the states of Media Atropatene, Osroene (Edessa), Araba (Hatra), Characene, Adiabene, Elymais and Persis. Over time these rulers were either replaced or absorbed into the Arsacid royal family by marriage.


JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


ArchersINFANTRY




- -Tribal Close

Foot archersINFANTRY

Average Unprotected - Combat Shy -Tribal Loose

Cataphract Camels (only Hatra in 217 A.D.)

CAMELRYAverage Fully Armoured Short Spear

Shove -Tribal Close

CataphractsCAVALRY

Average Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Tribal Close


CAVALRYSuperior Fully Armoured Long Spear

Parthian Vassal StatesArmy Commander Any Instinctive 147 B.C. to 225 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


1 Dates1-3 Terrain

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- 0 4,6- 6- 6 4,6- 12







Saka allies - Later Saka (Any Instinctive)

Historical NotesThe House of Suren were a powerful noble family in the Parthian kingdom and controlled areas of Seistan. Surena was a member of the family and best known for defeating Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 B.C. Sometime between 20 B.C. and 10 B.C. Gondophares I, a ruler in Seistan, conquered parts of the former Indo-Scythian kingdom, seizing Arachosia and the Kabul valley. The kingdom started to decline after his death and from the middle of the 1st century A.D. the Kushans start to absorb the northern part of the kingdom. The kingdom disappears by about 100 A.D.

Allies


JavelinmenINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


SlingersINFANTRY


ArchersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


Arachosian cavalryCAVALRY




Shove -Tribal Close

HillmenINFANTRY


CataphractsCAVALRY


Shove -Tribal Loose


CAVALRYSuperior Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -

Tribal Close

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Indo-ParthianArmy Commander Any Instinctive 75 B.C. to 100 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive Plains, MountainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Indo-ParthianTroop NotesIt is assumed that the troops fought in the traditional manner of Parthians and Arachosians but this is largely guesswork.



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- 0 6,8,9- 24


- 0 6,8,9- 36






JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


ArchersINFANTRY




- -Formed Loose

Levy footINFANTRY

Poor Protected Long Spear Shove Orb/SquareFormed Close

KamandaranINFANTRY


- -Formed Flexible

PaighanINFANTRY




Shove -Formed Close

AsvaranCAVALRY

Average Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Formed Close

Best asvaranCAVALRY

Superior Fully Armoured Long Spear

Shove -Tribal Loose

Royal asvaranCAVALRY

Superior Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Formed Close

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Early Sassanid PersianArmy Commander Any Instinctive 224 A.D. to 337 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instinctive PlainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Early Sassanid Persian

Historical Notes

Troop NotesThe Sassanid dynasty usurped the Arascid dynasty and early Sassanid armies were similar to later Parthian armies.Adarshir I introduced Elephants that had not been used by the Parthian dynasties.Cataphracts. Early Sassanid armies retained the use of Cataphracts. The leaders were fully armoured but some of the followers may not have been able to acquire full panoply. Overall the classification of fully armoured seems justified.Horse archers. The Sassanids used horse archers but perhaps used them more aggresively than the Parthians had.Infantry: Paighan were equipped with spears and wicker shields whilst Kamandaran were equipped with bows. Sassanid infantry were not able to match Roman infantry.

Changes from last versionAdded Elephants. Increased maximum number of asvaran and horse archers. Paighan and Kamandaran changed to Formed.

AlliesKushan vassal allies (From 262 A.D. to 356 A.D. ) (Any Instinctive)

The Sassanid Persian dynasty was founded by Ardashir I, ruler of Persis, who revolted against and defeated the last Parthian king, Artabanus V. He then consolidated central control despite various local rebellions. In 230 A.D. he raided deep into Roman territory and a Roman counter-offensive two years later ended inconclusively. Ardashir's son Shapur I continued the expansion of the empire, conquering Bactria and the western portion of the Kushan empire. Shapur captured Carrhae and Nisibis but was then defeated in 243 A.D. at Rhesaina. The Rpman emperor Gordian III subsequently advanced down the Euphrates but was defeated at Meshike (244 A.D.).War resumed in 253 A.D. when Shapur defeated the Romans at Barbalissos. Roman counter-attacks ended in disaster when the emperor Valerian was captured. He advanced into Anatolia but was repulsed by the Romans and their Palmyrene ally Odaenathus.The Romans sacked Ctesiphon in 283 B.C. under the emperor Carus. In 296 A.D. the emperor Galerius was defeated Narseh near Callinicium but in 298 A.D Galerius took the offensive and won successive victories and sacked Ctesiphon. The Romans inflicted a severe peace treaty. Unrest spread throughout the empire until supressed by Sharpur II.


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- 0 6,8,9- 24


- 0 6,8,9- 36






JavelinmenINFANTRY


SlingersINFANTRY

Poor Unprotected -


ArchersINFANTRY




- -Formed Loose

Levy footINFANTRY

Poor Protected Long Spear Shove Orb/SquareFormed Close

KamandaranINFANTRY


- -Formed Loose

PaighanINFANTRY


AsvaranCAVALRY


Shove -Formed Close

Asvaran and ZhayedanCAVALRY

Superior Protected Short Spear - -Formed Loose

AsvaranCAVALRY


Shove -Tribal Loose

Royal asvaranCAVALRY

Superior Fully Armoured Long Spear Shove -Formed Close

ElephantsELEPHANTS

Average Protected -

Middle Sassanid PersianArmy Commander Any 338 A.D. to 488 A.D.Sub-Generals Any PlainsInternal Allied Generals Unfortified or Flexible; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Middle Sassanid Persian

Hunnic allies (From 359 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)

Shapur II ruled from 309 A.D. to 379 A.D. In 337 A.D. he broke the peace concluded in 297 A.D. This led to a series of long drawn-out wars (nine major battles were fought) which continued until 363 A.D. when the Emperor Julian was killed and his successor Jovian agreed to an unfavourable peace treaty. During this period he was attacked by central Asian tribes. Towards the end of his reign he subdued the Kushans.From Shapur II's death until Kavadh I's first coronation (488 A.D.), there was a largely peaceful period with the Romans interupted only by two brief wars in 421 A.D. and 440 A.D. Several invasions by the Huns were defeated but they returned in 483 A.D. and defeated the Sassanid emperor Peroz I. Peroz I attempted to drive out the Huns but was defeated and killed.

Troop NotesOver time, Sassanid armies relied less on the cataphract and more on the armoured horse archer.

Changes from last version

AlliesKushan vassal allies (From 359 A.D. to 370 A.D.) (Any Instinctive)

Historical Notes

Paighan and Kamandaran changed to Formed.


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CampMin




Skilled 0 4,6Bow 20

- 0 2,3,4- 6



- 0 6,8,9- 9



- -

Subject Indians

Elephants Average Protected - Shove -

NotesIndian subjects must be in a separate command. If used, the number of Indian infantry must exceed the number of Elephants. Indian foot can be combined in TuGs of 1/3 spearmen and 2/3 archers in units of 6 or 9.

- Combat Shy

Indian archers Average Unprotected - - Combat Shy

Light horse archersCAVALRY


-----

Tribal Loose

INFANTRYTribal LooseINFANTRY

Indian javelinmen Average Protected Short Spear -Tribal Loose

Indian spearmen Average Protected Short Spear

CAVALRYTribal LooseINFANTRY

Combat Shy

Indian cavalry Average Protected

Tribal Loose

-

- Melee ExpertFormed Flexible

ELEPHANTS





Average Unprotected - - Melee ExpertFormed Flexible

Nobles and followersCAVALRY


Hephthalite HunnicArmy Commander Any Instinctive 475 A.D. to 560 A.D.Sub-Generals Any Instrinctive PlainsInternal Allied Generals Mobile; Poor or Average

Name

Type

Quality Protection

Shooting Skill

Weaponry

Melee

Weaponry

Characteristics

UG SizeTraining and


Hephthalite Hunnic

Changes from last version

Historical NotesCalled Ephthalites by the Greeks, the origin of the Hephthalites is uncertain but they arrived north-east of the Sassanid Persian empire, raided its provinces and by 485 A.D. had reduced the Sassanids to tributary status. A series of wars from 503 A.D. to 513 A.D drove them out of Persia. The Hunas, based north of the Hindu-Kush, had established themselves in north-west Pakistan by the early 5th century. In 455 A.D. Skandagupta repelled a Hunas invasion. Around 475 A.D. the Hunas conquered Gandhara. They were defeated in 528 A.D. and had been driven out of the northern Indian plains by 542 A.D. An alliance of the Sassanids and Gokturks defeated them c 560 A.D. after which they disappear from the historical record.

Troop NotesThe Huns were classic horse archers but were also prepared to fight at close quarters.

Reclassified Indian foot.


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