| 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. |
| | 10 | * '''Cosmopolitan:''' The Achaemenid army was largely comprised of national contingents from the various subject nations 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. |
| 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 only lightly armed and armored, compared to the Hellenes. Reduction in armor and attack: light weapons, scale and leather armor, no helmets (had shields, but even they were generally wicker and leather for the line infantry). |
| | 22 | * '''Cavalry Notes: '''Alongside missile troops, the cavalry made up the bulk of the Persian army. Under Achaemenid feudalism, the so-called Hatru system, cavalry was recruited from among the wealthiest estate holders 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 to full armor 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 only lightly armed and armored, compared to the Hellenes. High defense to represent their stubborness but low attack to represent their inability to inflict serious damage on Western-style heavy infantry. |
| | 25 | |
| | 26 | * '''General Representation''' Combined Arms Warfare is the watchword of the Persians. No branch should be able to win the battle alone but used together and correctly the Persians should be able to win. Melee infantry to pin the enemy down, range infantry to wear him down, and cavalry to finish the enemy by flanking. Persian units are individually weak, so the challenge of playing the Persians is making sure you avoid fighting on terms other then your own. Melee alone against hoplites should be suicide, for example, as should range or cavalry. |
| 38 | | * '''Garb: '''[[BR]] Basic: Light red ornate Median garb, similar to that of the Mada Asabari. The Persians and Medians favored highly contrasting designs and colors which they inherited from the Elamites. His robes wouldn't be very long, reaching maybe to his knees, with trousers underneath. Unarmored. [[BR]] Advanced: Dark red garb. Leather cuirass. [[BR]] Elite: Bordeaux/purple garb, with "funky psychedelic kiddy-pyjama-like patterns, funny polygons and borders and stuff". Quilted linen corselet. |
| | 40 | * '''Garb: '''[[BR]] Basic: Light red ornate Median garb, similar to that of the Mada Asabari. The Persians and Medians favored highly contrasting designs and colors which they inherited from the Elamites. His robes wouldn't be very long, reaching maybe to his knees, with trousers underneath. Unarmored. [[BR]] Advanced: Dark red garb. Quilted linen corselet. [[BR]] Elite: Bordeaux/purple garb, with "funky psychedelic kiddy-pyjama-like patterns, funny polygons and borders and stuff". Full linothorax with scale embellishment. |
| 42 | | * '''History:''' Mede Shieldbearers comprised the main infantry regiment of the Persians during this period |
| 43 | | * '''Garrison:''' 1. |
| 44 | | * '''Function:''' Brawl unit of the Persians. Primarily used to occupy opponents while missile units rain projectiles from behind their lines and the cavalry hits the enemy rear. Virtually cannon fodder, but since they can be called up quickly, they can be produced faster than most civilisations, and so are effective in numbers. |
| 45 | | * '''Special: '''Low hitpoints, low attack. Cheap and fast train time. |
| 46 | | |
| 47 | | * '''Name: '''Zhupinandaz Frighi. (means 'Phrygian Javelinist') |
| | 44 | * '''History:''' Mede Shieldbearers comprised the main infantry regiment of the Persians during this period, especially in the reign of Xerxes. First under the Medes and later the Achaemenids these soldiers were the bread and butter infantry for hand-to-hand engagement. Within the Satabam, the basic tactical unit of the Achamenid army, the shieldbearers formed the first two ranks, protecting the arhcers and also serving as a way to keep the enemy pinned down until the cavalry could act. While well known for tenacity the shieldbearers were not equipped to last long in an extended melee with heavy infantry, like hoplites. |
| | 45 | * '''Garrison:''' 1. |
| | 46 | * '''Function:''' Brawl unit of the Persians. Primarily used to occupy opponents while missile units rain projectiles from behind their lines and the cavalry hits the enemy rear. Virtually cannon fodder. But since they can be called up quickly they can be produced faster than most civilisations, and so are effective in numbers. |
| | 47 | * '''Special: ''' high defense, low attack. Cheap and fast train time. |
| | 48 | |
| | 49 | * '''Name: '''Sparda Takabara. (means ' Sparda Auxiliary') |
| 70 | | * '''Function:''' A semi-skilled warrior. Used to take down advancing enemy infantry and to loosen up enemy formations for a Persian charge. He'll probably be used in a similar manner to the Frighi Zhupinandaz, although he'd probably be used for more strategic goals, opening and in some cases finishing attacks, instead of just supporting attacks. |
| 71 | | * '''Special: '''Very light and quick, but will suffer at close range. Longer build time then the Mada Sparabara but at a lesser cost (bow and quiver of arrows relatively cheap standard equipment |
| | 72 | * '''Function:''' A semi-skilled warrior. Used to take down advancing enemy infantry and to loosen up enemy formations for a Persian charge. He'll probably be used in a similar manner to the Sparda Takabara, although he'd probably be used for more strategic goals, opening and in some cases finishing attacks, instead of just supporting attacks. |
| | 73 | * '''Special: '''Very light and quick, but will suffer at close range. Longer build time then the Mada Sparabara but at a lesser cost (bow and quiver of arrows relatively cheap standard equipment but takes a while to learn to use). |
| 276 | | * '''History: '''(521 BC - 486 BC) The son of Histaspes, the satrap of Parthia and Hyrcania; a great administrator as well as a decent general, Darius introduced the division of the empire into satrapies and conquered NW India, Thrace and Macedonia. He was called the 'Merchant of the Empire'. (OP - Darayavaush). |
| 277 | | * '''Garrison:''' 1. |
| 278 | | * '''Function''': Although a former Commander of the Immortals, apart from the highly overrated Behistun account of Darius' slaying the usurpers of the throne, there are no accounts of him actually leading his troops in combat (he accompanied the army - yes, but did not lead the charges himself). |
| | 278 | * '''History: '''(521 BC - 486 BC) The son of Vishtaspa (Hystaspes), the satrap of Parthia and Hyrcania; a great administrator as well as a decent general, Darius introduced the division of the empire into satrapies and conquered NW India, Thrace and Macedonia. He was called the 'Merchant of the Empire'. |
| | 279 | * '''Garrison:''' 1. |
| | 280 | * '''Function''': Although a former Commander of the Immortals, apart from the Behistun account of Darius' slaying the usurpers of the throne, there are no accounts of him actually leading his troops in combat (he accompanied the army and planned strategy - yes, but did not lead the charges himself). |
| 290 | | * '''History: '''(485 BC - 465 BC) The son of Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great, Xerxes was an able administrator, who also extended Imperial rule into Chorasmia. Apart from his failed invasion of Greece, he was famous for his extensive building programme, especially at Persepolis. (OP - Khshayarsha). |
| | 292 | * '''History: '''(485 BC - 465 BC) The son of Darius the Great and Atoosa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great, Xerxes was an able administrator, who also extended Imperial rule into Chorasmia. Apart from his failed invasion of Greece, he was famous for his extensive building programme, especially at Persepolis. |
| 393 | | * '''Name: Levied Hordes''' |
| 394 | | * '''History:''' 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. |
| 395 | | * '''Effect: '''The cost and build time for all Persian Infantry Citizens is reduced, to compensate for their weak armour and attack. |
| | 395 | * '''Name: Great King's Levy''' 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. Also, with the exception of the elite regiments, the Persian infantry was not a standing professional force. |
| | 396 | * '''History:''' See above |
| | 397 | * '''Effect: ''' All Persian Citizen Infantry units are available at a reduced cost to represent their quick mobilization and light status in comaparion to the other civs. |
| 404 | | * '''Infantry''': Since the Persians relied mostly on archers and cavalry, the Persian infantry should be individually weak. If he chooses to use them effectively, he will have to rely on sheer numbers, similar to AoM Egyptians. Infantry are therefore cheap and can be trained quickly, but individually weak, with no combat upgrades. The Persians get Bow upgrades, as Archers were strong. Virtually no armour upgrades. |
| 405 | | * '''Cavalry''': Cavalry were strong. They should have the strongest cavalry prior to the introduction of Parthians and Huns. Virtually no armour upgrades. |
| | 406 | * '''Infantry''': Since the Persians relied mostly on archers and cavalry, the Persian infantry should be individually weak. If he chooses to use them effectively, he will have to rely on combined arms. Infantry are therefore cheap and can be trained quickly, but individually weak, with no combat upgrades. The Persians get Bow upgrades, as Archers were strong. Virtually no armour upgrades. |
| | 407 | * '''Cavalry''': Cavalry were strong. They should have the strongest cavalry prior to the introduction of Parthians and Huns. Virtually no armour upgrades. Once again, combined arms for maximum effect. |
