| 10 | | * '''Cosmopolitan:''' Army made up of conscripts and mercenaries from the subjugated nations ruled by the Persian Kings (Egyptians, Assyrians, Indians, Scythians, Bactrians, and Ethiopians) alongside the Iranian native force (Persian or Median descent). |
| | 10 | * '''Cosmopolitan:''' The Achaemenid army was largely comprised of national contingents from the various regions under the rule of the Great Kings. These contingents were organized along military/administrative lines and used a decimal system of organization by multiples of ten. Well known national 'regiments' were: Medo-Persian, non Medo-Persian Iranian, Lydian, Carian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Indian, Ethiopian, and Libyan. |
| 14 | | * '''Persian Military:''' (note that this only applies to the Persians themselves; any mercenaries/subjugated-nations would use their own national weapons) |
| 15 | | * '''Spears:''' Main infantry weapon. |
| 16 | | * '''Swords:''' Rarity. Reserved for more elite units such as Immortal (common soldiers too poor to afford swords). |
| 17 | | * '''Bows:''' Main ranged weapon. Archers armed with powerful recurved bow, which gained their power by bending the bow opposite to the natural curve of the weapon, creating added tension and force; however, used extremely light materials, so arrows couldn't puncture the heavy armour of Hellenistic soldiers. |
| | 14 | * '''Persian Military:''' (note that this only applies to the Persians themselves; the other units would use their own national weapons) |
| | 15 | * '''Spears:''' Main infantry weapon. Could get around to 6ft in length. |
| | 16 | * '''Swords:''' Supposedly widespread among the Medo-Persian infantry. The Persian sword, a short sword called the akinakes, was not widely used, primarily by virtue of the Persian emphasis on archery over close combat. |
| | 17 | * '''Bows:''' Main ranged weapon. Archers armed with powerful recurved bow, which gained their power by bending the bow opposite to the natural curve of the weapon, creating added tension and force. Achaemenid archery was generally ineffective against the Hellenes due to the armour and martial ethic of the hoplites. |
| 19 | | * '''Slings:''' Were employed, but in relatively small numbers compared with archers. Representation: In terms of tactics, reliance on range (bows, javelins) and cavalry rushes to overcome limited chance of survival in melee. |
| 20 | | |
| 21 | | * '''Strong Cavalry: '''Alongside missile troops, made up the bulk of the Persian army. Under feudal law the conscripts had to supply their own arms, and only the richer citizens (nobility) could afford mounts. Representation: All cavalry types. Cavalry are well-armed and armoured, though expensive. They are one of the few units (the other being Immortals) rich enough to afford armour and helmets. |
| 22 | | |
| 23 | | * '''Infantry Hordes:''' Levying the satrapies allowed the Persians to field a larger force than their opponents. However, Persian troops had to supply their own equipment. Many also had poor morale, usually going into battle with all kinds of war cries, but ready to flee the field when serious resistance was offered by the foe (typical of almost all Oriental civilisations, with the exception of Assyrian heavy swordsmen). Representation: Quantity over quality. Build time and cost of infantry reduced to quickly amass a large force, but individuals are poorly armed and armoured. Reduction in armour and attack: poor weapons, little to no infantry armour or helmets (had to rely on shields, but even they were merely wicker and leather). |
| | 19 | * '''Slings:''' Were employed, but in relatively small numbers compared with archers. |
| | 20 | * '''Representation:''' In terms of tactics, reliance on range (bows, javelins) and cavalry rushes to overcome limited chance of survival in melee. |
| | 21 | |
| | 22 | * '''Cavalry Notes: '''Alongside missile troops, the cavalry made up the bulk of the Persian army. Under Achaemenid feudalism cavalry was recruited from among the wealthiest of the Persian landowners and of excellent quality all-around. Representation: All cavalry types. Cavalry are well-armed and armoured, though expensive. They are one of the few units rich enough to afford armour and helmets. |
| | 23 | |
| | 24 | * '''Infantry Notes:''' The Persians could and did levy a large number of infantry during wartime due to the sheer size of the Achaemenid Empire and the way in which it was set-up. In general the Persian infantry was well trained and fought with great tenacity. However while this was true the infantry were poor hand-to-hand, close combat fighters, not being equipped to handle that style of warfare (as the Hellenes understood it). Also, with the exception of the elite regiments, the Persian infantry was not a standing professional force. Representation: Quantity over quality. Build time and cost of infantry reduced to quickly amass a large force, but individuals are poorly armed and armoured. Reduction in armour and attack: poor weapons, little to no infantry armour or helmets (had to rely on shields, but even they were generally wicker and leather). |
