Version 16 (modified by Kimball, 13 years ago) ( diff )

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PERSIAN CIVILISATION PROFILE

by Sting, Paal_101 & Acumen. Email: synchronicity84@hotmail.com; acumen@0ad.wildfiregames.com.

OVERVIEW

  • Period: We're going to represent the Persians at the peak of their civilisation, around Mid Achaemenid with some Early influences. Specifically 550 BC - ca 420 BC. Therefore Late Achaemenid traits like acquiring Greek equipment to overcome their weakness against Greek infantry does not apply.
  • 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.

Representation: Units from various different cultures. Wide variety of garb, styles and colours.

  • Persian Military: (note that this only applies to the Persians themselves; the other units would use their own national weapons)
    • Spears: Main infantry weapon. Could get around to 6-7ft in length.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Javelins: Also widely used, but not as much as the recurved bow. Most commonly used by the mounted nobility.
    • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS

Rank Notes: The following convention is used to display the rank for Persian Citizen Soldiers:

  • Basic: Unit is bare-headed (hair is visible).
  • Advanced: The unit wears a generic headband
  • Elite: The unit wears the helmet/cap/whatever indicated in the Helmet: section of its description below.

INFANTRY

  • Name: Mada Sparabara. (means 'Mede Shieldbearer')
    • Class: Spearman.
    • Ranged Armament:
      Basic: 7-foot wooden thrusting spear with a broad iron head and round bronze metal counterweight. Cosmetic akinakes.
      Advanced: Silver counterweight. Cosmetic akinakes.
      Elite: Gold counterweight. Cosmetic akinakes.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic: Light red ornate Median garb. 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.
        Advanced: Dark red garb. Quilted linen corselet.
        Elite: Bordeaux/purple garb, with "funky psychedelic kiddy-pyjama-like patterns, funny polygons and borders and stuff". Full linothorax with scale embellishment.
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Bareheaded.
        Advanced: Persian/Median white tiara. (Note: for any of these tiaras, always use the loose version with the mouth uncovered, to keep the distinctive Medo-Persian beard and moustache visible.)
        Elite: Persian/Median yellow tiara.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: Large rectangular reed/wicker shield (spara), covered with leather. (Could provide for unique defensive sparabara formation for groups of this unit, although we don't have room for it; see Spara in article link in footnotes.)
        Elite: Similar to the Advanced spara, but elaborately painted.
      • Figure(s): Median hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Basic:-
        Advanced:-
        Elite:-
    • 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.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • 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.
    • Special: high defense, low attack. Cheap and fast train time.
  • Name: Sparda Takabara. (means ' Sparda Auxiliary')
    • Class: Javelinist.
    • Ranged Armament: Palta, a cornel wood javelin, 1.5 to 1.8 metres in length and tipped with iron or bronze heads. They could be thrown immediately before contact or used as a thrusting weapon (but we'll just use them for ranged attack).
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic: Mint green tunic that covers shoulders to knees. High quality leather boots (similar to Peltast's footwear). Tunic has a brooch at each shoulder.
        Advanced: Tunic is emerald green.
        Elite: Tunic is dark green.
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Bareheaded.
        Advanced: Phrygian style cap
        Elite: Wicker helmet with round metal plates along the "head-band" of the helmet.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: Round standard Persian wicker shield, without leather covering.
        Elite: Small crescent-shaped taka shield (not quite a buckler).
      • Figure(s):
        Basic: Phrygian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Ultimate: -
    • History: Sparda was the name given to the Achaemenid satrapy in western Asia Minor that replaced the Kingdom of Lydia after the conquests of Cyrus. The peoples of Phrygia, Mysia, Paphlagonia, and Pisidia supplied the empire with much of its skirmish force during this period. Takabara was a blanket term used to describe the Achaemenid auxiliries and derived originally from the Iranian crescent shield.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: Best take advantage of long range to support heavy infantry as they clear a path for shock cavalry. Individually weak, so best used in large groups (eg 10-15).
    • Special: Low health and melee armour (due to no armour and lousy shield; not nearly as good as a Peltast up close). Great speed and increased range (light equipment and good boots).
  • Name: Suguda Thanvabara. (means 'Sogdian Archer')
    • Class: Archer.
    • Ranged Armament: Persian recurved bow. This man, like all Iranians, has been training with the bow for a long time. As such he is a crack archer. Included in his armament is a Scythian sword, for close quarters. Cosmetic.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic: Blue tunic in the Eastern Iranian style (fastens down the middle). No armour. Quiver on left hip. High leather riding boots.
        Advanced: Tunic is red and green. Quilted linen corselet.
        Elite: Tunic is dark brown. Light scale armor.
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Bareheaded.
        Advanced: Sogdian style cap.
        Elite: Persian helmet.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: Small buckler.
      • Figure(s):
        Basic: Sogdian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
    • History: Sogdiana was an Achaemenid province located to the north of modern Afghanistan. The Sogdians were an Eastern Iranian people, and joined the Achaemenids early. In the Achaemenid army the Sogdian infantry served in the Iranian all-arms regiments of the Great Kings. We have chosen to represent them as archers.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • 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.
    • 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).

CAVALRY

  • Name: Katpatuka Asabari. (means 'Cappadocian Cavalry')
    • Class: Cavalry Spearman.
    • Hacker Armament:
      Basic: Cavalry spear.
      Advanced: -
      Elite: -
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic: Western Iranian tunic and trousers. Red and patterned. No armor.
        Advanced: Tunic is dark blue and patterned. Armor is bronze scale shoulder plate, cuirass, and leg pieces.
        Elite: Tunic is green and patterned. Full scale suit, bordering on heavy cavalry like protection. Left arm sports the cheires, laminated band armor worn over one arm.
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Cappadocian cap.
        Advanced: Small helmet with short plume.
        Elite: Tall conical helmet with great plume.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: armored Round shield.
        Elite: no shield as the cheires takes its function.
      • Figure(s):
        Basic: Cappadocian beard and hairstyle (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
      • Mount:
        Basic: Mounted on the superb Median horse breed. Strong, large, but of medium height. Predominately chestnut, brown, and black. Chipped mane, tail tied with ribbon, forelock grown out to create a crest.
        Advanced: -
        Elite: Add a bronze skirt over the front half of the horse.
    • History: Katpatuka or Cappadocia was tough mountain and horse country in Asia Minor that came into the Achaemenid sphere after the defeat of Lydia at the hands of Cyrus. The Persians settled great horse estates under the Hatru system in Cappadocia and the new country gentry provided the Persians with some of the finest medium cavalry of Antiquity. This tradition continued to persist long after the Persians as well.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: Highly effective medium cavalry, but generally ineffective against anything heavy.
    • Special:
  • Name: Verkhana Asabari. (means 'Hyrcanian Cavalry')
    • Class: Cavalry Swordsman.
    • Ranged Armament:
      Basic: Palta Javelin (1.5-1.8 metres in length and tipped with iron or bronze heads). Two decorative javelins. Sagaris is main weapon.
      Advanced: - Elite: -
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic: Jacket: highly decorated brown and red tunic (with circles, squares, rosettes and stripe patterns). Trousers.
        Advanced: Add scale shirt (black and red for his clothing).
        Elite: Scale shirt with psychedelic shapes and dark colours on his trousers and tunic sleeves.
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Hyrcanian cap.
        Advanced: Scythian cap.
        Elite: Bronze helmet with black plume.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: Leather shield.
      • Figure(s):
        Basic: Hyrcanian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
      • Mount:
        Basic: Same as the Katpatuka Asabari.
        Advanced: -
        Ultimate: -
    • History: The Hyrcanians were the light cavalry of the Achaemenid Great Kings. These men were of superb quality, and are mentioned in every major Persian campaign. Their homeland of Hyrcania bordering the Caspian Sea was both a lush fertile rain forest and foreboding mountain country.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: ?
    • Special: Poorly armoured, but fast.
  • Name: Sa Qurbute. (means 'Royal Chariots')
    • Class: Cavalry Archer.
    • Ranged Armament:
      • Archer: Composite Bow.
      • Driver: None.
    • Appearance:
    • Garb:
      Basic: 
      Archer: Noble. Richly embroidered robe (shorter, Persian style). ("Chariots crash. I wouldn't want to be him running away from a wrecked chariot with Hypapsists chasing after me in an ankle-length robe.") Light red. No trousers. Armour: Small pectoral disc. Driver: Something simple, probably identical to the Mada Sparabara (use same colours). Armour: None.
      Advanced: 
      Archer: Robes become medium red. Armour: Scale shirt, throat to mid-thigh. Driver: Same colour adjustment as Mada Sparabara. Armour: Small pectoral disc.
      Elite: 
      Archer: Robes become dark red. Armour: Iron scale hauberk. Driver: Same colour adjustment as Mada Sparabara. Armour: Light scale shirt.
    • Helmet:
      Basic: Archer: Persian tiara/cap. Driver: White tiara.
      Advanced: Archer: Conical helmet. (if you have "Warfare in the Classical World", look at p.59 for a cool pic of an elite Persian cavalryman. I would suggest using his helmet.) Driver: Yellow tiara.
      Elite: Archer: Plumed helmet. Driver: Simple conical helmet.'
    • Shield:
      Basic: Archer: None (hard to use a shield while shooting a bow). Driver: None (hard to use a shield while driving a chariot).
      Advanced: Archer:Driver: -
      Elite: Archer:Driver: -'
    • Figure(s):
      Basic: 
      Archer: The chariot crew constantly worked together, training and fighting, and would need to know each other very well to operate such a "complex" machine. Facing danger together would make them very close. Driver: He's not going to be very wealthy compared to the Archer, but he will be slightly better looking than the regular infantry grunt. Decorated beard to indicate the driver is Babylonian. The charioteer was much more than a mere 'driver' - he was a confidant and a trusted adviser of his master.
      Advanced: 
      Archer:Driver: -
      Elite: 
      Archer: - Driver: -
    • Mount:
      Basic: Wooden chariot (very sturdy; it was nearly impossible to destroy the chariot itself, so had to kill the horses or occupants -- Peltasts were very effective for this). Led by two unarmoured horses (if necessary, we can reduce the number to one). Knives (scythes) mounted on the axels, underneath the car. These were hung vertically in order to shred anyone unlucky enough to be trampled by the horses. Would make it unsuitable for rough terrain, but would make it significantly more lethal when it could build up speed.
      Advanced: Add heavy armour on the sides.
      Elite: Add even heavier armour on the sides.
  • History: Prior to the rise of Persia the chariot was the defining element of the East on the battlefield. While generally already phased out as a field weapon, it was important for prestige. The Achaemenids continued this trend to its logical conclusion. However Cyrus the Great did introduce a modified chariot with scythes, which was used on a number of occasions. These were rare, as the chariot and its crew were expensive to maintain. The most famous deployment of Persian chariots was against Alexander the Great. For the name of the unit we are using Babylonian, as the Persians depended on the Babylonians for their chariot "know-how".
  • Garrison: 3.
  • Function: -
  • Special: Bonus against infantry (or has ancillary passive damage when moving, if possible). Fast. Expensive.

SUPPORT UNITS

  • Name: Banu Miyanrudani. (means 'Mesopotamian Woman')
    • Class: Female Citizen.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Several layers of clothing, long doublet robe with tassels.
      • Helmet: Head scarf.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): Young (about 25). Dark long hair. Dark eyes. Pale skin. Face clearly visible. (Paradoxically, women during the Achaemenid period did not have to cover their faces. This Arabic tradition was introduced much later.)
    • History: ?.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Magus Mada (means 'Mede Magian')
    • Class: Priest.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: White gown.
      • Helmet: The padam, a relative of the Persian tiara.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): Short hair. No beard or moustache. Otherwise Median facial features.
    • History: Under both the Medes and later the Persian the tribe of the Magi or the Magians were the masters of religious and oral tradition, comparable to the Levites of the Bible. They were connected to Zoroastrianism, but likely tended to other Iranian cults as well. Aside from religious duties the Magians also functioned as the Great King's bureaucrats and kept his administration running.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Tamkarum Arami. (means 'Aramaean Trader ')
    • Class: Trader.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Aramaean merchant robes.
      • Helmet: None.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): -
      • Mount: Mounted on a Dromidary (one-hump) camel (inherits "Stench" Aura), laden down with saddle bags.
    • History: The Aramaeans settled in the Fertile Crescent in X century BC and became very successful merchants by land. Aramaic gradually replaced Akkadian as the spoken language of the Middle East. Eventually most Achaemenid written administration was written in this language.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: Camels are slower than horses.
    • Special: -
  • Name: Kashti Bazargani Yunani. (means 'Ionian Trade Ship')
    • Class: Merchant Ship.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Ionian Greeks embarked on trade initiatives by sea, since they lived on numerous islands in the Aegean or the coast of Asia Minor.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Doradi Kebresi. (means 'Cypriad Galley')
    • Class: Bireme.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: Cypriad galleys comprised a substantial part of Xerxes' navy which invaded Greece in 480 BC. While generally considered inferior to the ships of the Phoenicians, these were still very good.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Serade Finisi. (means 'Phoenician Light Trireme')
    • Class: Trireme.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: -
    • History: The Phoenician war ships made up the bigger and better part of the Persian navy and were considered better than the Greek triremes. Of the Phoenician cities, Tyre supplied the largest number of ships, while Sidon provided the finest ones.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: Take advantage of the Phoenician Trireme's superior speed to perform quick raiding attacks. Stay on the move to compensate for its poor armour.
    • Special: Persian triremes were faster and lighter than the Greek ones. This would indicate that the Persians preferred triremes with light shells. Thus, Persian triremes have exceptional speed (though not as fast as Carthaginian ships), but have lower armour. They could afford to build triremes of special, lighter timber, and therefore the Persian trireme is more expensive than normal.
  • Name: Fishing Ship. (to be translated)
    • Class: Fishing Ship.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: -
    • History: TBD
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Garrison Capacity: 1; support, infantry
    • Function: Gathering: Only method of collecting meat from fish.
    • Special: -

SIEGE

  • Name: Darvazkub Ashuri. (means 'Assyrian Ram')
    • Class: Ram.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Assyrians were the only Middle Eastern people who were famous for their siege. One of the first systematic sieges in history was successfully carried out by the Assyrian king Sennacherib at the Judaean town of Lachish in 701 BC.
    • Garrison: 3.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

SUPER UNITS

  • Name: Anusyia. (means 'The Companions')
    • Class: Super Infantry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Spear of the 'Immortal' (wooden spear with an iron head and a silver pomegranate counterweight. Length about 7 feet. ); ornamental Akinakes sword.
    • Ranged Armament: Persian composite bow.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Richly embroidered knee-length tunic. Full iron corselet. Trousers.
      • Helmet: Soft woollen or felt cap (white tiara).
      • Shield: Gerron or Dipylon(violin shield); figure eight shield with two concave "holes" in it. A wooden shield unlike the spara, rimmed with iron and embossed with a bronze emblem in the center.
      • Figure(s): A strong, well-built and confident-looking fellow (should really look like a combat veteran).
    • History: The Immortals or Anausa was the name given mistakenly by the Hellene historian Herodotos to the Perisan profesional elite infantry known as the Anusyia or Companions. The regiment was the core of the Achaemenid army, a standing force that remained in permenent attendance to the Great King all year. These men were not recruited from the nobility, but from the combat veterans of the levy army. The Anusyia's arms and armor being provided by the Great King himself. The regiment may have been able to keep unit strength at 10,000 through a combination of excellent pay, elite status, and the fact they were never dismissed from service.
    • Function: Primarily an infantry slaughterer, although very helpful against enemy cavalry too (thanks to their spears). Weak against Greek and Macedonian phalanx (owing to their inferior armour and weaponry) and decent archers (owing to their not so good armour). The Anusyia should be tougher then the rest of the Persian infantry due to their veteran status and their abilty to function as Persia's flexible rapid response force. Should be tenacious like the Sparabara.
    • Special: Amazing offense and defense due to sheer experience. Much more accurate with his bow than conventional Persian archers (dangerous and skilled, shooting Greeks in the throat or eye-slits of their helmets more often than conventional arrow showers).
  • Name: Bakhtris Asabari. (means 'Bactrian Cavalry')
    • Class: Cavalry Lancer.
    • Hacker Armament:
      Basic: Kontos Lance (all iron; 3.6 metres long; two-handed weapon; held the kontos with his right hand towards the bottom of the spear shaft, while the left was in front about 2 feet forward. Then the spearpoint was held on the left side of the horse's neck. So if you looked from the top, the kontos would be at a slight angle from the horse's line of symmetry; absorbed the shock of a hit, since there were no saddles or stirrups to cushion the collision for the horseman). Cosmetic akinakes -- since Cataphracts were drawn from the wealthy upper class -- and they would used these at close range after charging with kontos (hacking, 2.5-3m long).
      Advanced: -
      Ultimate: -
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic:
        Advanced:
        Elite:
      • Helmet:
        Basic: Small bowl-like helmet.
        Advanced: Sarmatian style conical helmet with nasal bar.
        Elite: Same as Advanced, but with a large horse-tail crest and aventail.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: None.
      • Shield:
        Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: None.
      • Figure(s):
        Basic: -
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
      • Mount:
        Basic: No horse armour. No saddles or stirrups. Has a saddle blanket held on by a strap going around the horse's midsection.
        Advanced: Half-armour (scale chamfron and peytral)
        Elite: Complete horse armour.
    • History: Cataphracts were the crushing blow of the Persian cavalry. The development of the Persian cataphract is not well understood, as is the relationship between these men and future generations of cataphract cavalry. At best it seems the Persians adopted the catapharct from encounters with Iranian nomads like the Massagetes.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: See History.
    • Special: The Cataphract should be slower than the Verkhana Asabari. Well armoured.

HEROES

  • Name: Kurush II. (meaning "Cyrus")
    • Class: Hero1.
    • Ranged Armament: Javelin. Cosmetic akinakes on his right side.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Red Median garb of Mede Light Horse. Normal Mada Asabari armour, but adorned with gold.
      • Helmet: Helmet as depicted in this image of a noble Assyrian cavalry archer.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): Head and beard as depicted in above image.
      • Mount: Mounted on white Nisaean light horse. Sagaris hung from horse's tack.
    • History: (559 BC - 530 BC) The son of a Median princess and the ruler of Anshan; justly called the 'Father of the Empire', Cyrus the Great conquered Media, Lydia, Babylonia and Bactria, thereby establishing the Persian Empire. He was also renown as a benevolent conqueror. (OP - Kurush). Technically the second ruler of the Persians by that name, and so appears as Kurush II on his documents and coins. Kurush I was his grandfather.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: Cyrus should be the greatest fighter of the three, since he was always to be found in the midst of a brawl.
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura increases attack damage of nearby cavalry units.
  • Name: Darayavahush I. ( meaning "Darius")
    • Class: Hero2.
    • Hacker Armament: Spear of the Immortal.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Garb as depicted in image.
      • Helmet: Royal tiara as depicted in image.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): -
    • 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'.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • 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).
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura increases movement speed of nearby units.
  • Name: Xsayarsa I. (meaning "Xerxes I")
    • Class: Hero3.
    • Hacker Armament: Short Sword (Akinakes).
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Purple or red garb, similar in style to that of Darius. No armour.
      • Helmet: Headgear as depicted in image.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): Head as depicted in image.
    • 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.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: Poor in combat (Achaemenid commanders often personally engaged in combat, so Xerxes is the exception). Best used as an economic administrator back at base.
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura accelerates the Gather Rate and Build Rate of nearby econ units, thus allowing them to perform their economic tasks faster.

CIV CENTRE UNITS

  • Melee Infantry: Mada Sparabara.
  • Ranged Infantry: Katpatuka Thanvabara.
  • Cavalry: Asabari Madi.

FORBIDDEN CLASSES

  • Swordsman.
  • Slinger.
  • Quinquereme.
  • Onager.
  • Ballista.

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS

VILLAGE

  • Name: Xsacapava. (Means 'Provincial Governor'.)
    • Class: Civ Centre.
    • History: The practice of using Xsacapava or Satraps as governors to administer the realm was a practice older then the Achaemenids themselves. The term first appears in Median to describe their vassal kings and it is likely that Cyrus the Great introduced it into his new empire. Darius the Great streamlined and formalized this system under his sweeping administrative reforms.

  • Name: Pairidaeza. (Means 'fortified garden'.)
    • Class: House.
    • History: Apart from the Great King and his close relatives, the satraps resided in splendid spacious residences, which included palaces, pavilions and gardens. The English word "paradise" derives from these gardens.
  • Name: Jowgah. (Means 'farm'.)
    • Class: Farmstead (Farm Centre).
    • History: Farming probably originated in the lands of Mesopotamia circa 8000 BC. The arable lands of Sumer and Akkad, well irrigated by the Tigris and Euphrates, accounted for food surpluses, which were in turn stored in granaries present in every town. The Persians, who were originally shepherds and hunters, probably began farming under the influence of the nearby Elamites.
  • Name: Keshtzar. (Means 'field'.)
    • Class: Field.
    • History: Unlike today, when southern Iraq is almost entirely covered with deserts, ancient Mesopotamia of 3000 years ago was an extremely fertile, arable land.
  • Name: Ramag. (Means 'horse herd'.)
    • Class: Corral.
    • History: The Persian kings established Royal Horse Herds, for use during military campaigns, at strategic locations throughout the entire Empire.
  • Name: Asiya. (Means 'mill'.)
    • Class: Mill (Resource Centre).
    • History: The Persian kings kept the huge annual tribute received by their subject nations in specific buildings in Persepolis and Susa. In the provinces, the satraps were responsible for the establishment of similar foundations, where local taxes and public funds were kept.
  • Name: Padgan. (Means 'outpost'.)
    • Class: Outpost (Scout Tower).
    • History: The narrow entrance into mountainous Cilicia was protected by wooden fortifications which made any foreign intrusions extremely difficult.
  • Name: Divar. (Means 'wall'.)
    • Class: Wall.
    • History: These were the massive walls that Nebuchadnezzar built to protect the city. It is said that two four-horse chariots could easily pass by each other. Babylon, although not an official royal residence (there were 4 of them all together), was a preferred place for holidays.
  • Name: Borj. (Means 'tower'.)
    • Class: Tower (Wall Tower).
    • History: When Cyrus the Great campaigned in the north and chose to establish the river Jaxartes as a boundary, he constructed a mighty fortress to protect his territories from Scythian raids. It was called Cyropolis and was situated close to the place where Alexander the Great later built his Alexandria Eschatae.
  • Name: Darvaze. (Means 'gate'.)
    • Class: Gate.
    • History: The several ceremonial entrances to the great city of Babylon were furnished with magnificent gates, the gate of Ishtar being the most splendid of all.

TOWN

  • Name: Bandar. (Means 'dock'.)
    • Class: Dock (Port Centre).
    • History: Situated on the Mediterranean coast, all Phoenician cities had excellent docks and harbours, the oustanding example being Tyre, which was situated on an island close to the shore.
  • Name: Atarsh. (Means 'temple'.)
    • Class: Temple (Health Centre).
    • History: Zoroastrian Temples were most often simple structures, not as ornate as Christian churches and Muslim mosques. Fire Altars were also widely spread as small places of worship.
  • Name: Apadana. (Means 'barracks'.)
    • Class: Barracks (Military Centre).
    • History: The vassal and subject peoples sent representatives to deliver annual tribute to the Great King in Persepolis; the King accepted them in the Apadana ("Audience Hall").
  • Name: Vazar. (Means 'market'.)
    • Class: Market (Trade Centre).
    • History: Traders from all distant parts of the huge empire met, exchanged and sold goods in the huge bazaars present in almost every big city. Babylon and Susa were the largest and most frequented trade centres.

CITY

  • Name: Dura. (Babylonian Akkadian; means 'fortress'.)
    • Class: Fortress.
    • History: The Susa Chateau was a fortress in the administrative capital of Susa, which was reconstructed by a French archaeologist in 1890 with the use of original building material.

SPECIAL STRUCTURES

  • Name: Tacara. (means 'Winter Palace')
    • Class: SB1.
    • History: The annual tribute that the Persians received from their satrapies and vassal states, as regularised by Darius the Great, accounted for incredible annual revenue. As a result this building is named Tacara, after the winter palace of Darius in Persepolis.
    • Special: Satrapy Tribute.

NEW STRUCTURE TRAITS

  • Satrapy Tribute: When constructed, this structure bestows a benefit similar to an AoK relic or AoM Plenty Vault; the Player's Metal Pool increases by a very small but continuous trickle. The rate is dependent upon the number of Satrapies (territories) belonging to the player; if all his Satrapies are destroyed, the Tacara has no effect until more Satrapies are constructed. The player cannot build more than one Tacara at a time, and destroying the Tacara removes its effect.

CIV BONUSES

  • CB1
    • Name: Ability to Corral Camels and Horses.
    • History: While the Persians employed camelry only in a few cases, its use was always accompanied by great success (most notably during the battle of Sardis in 546 BC). The satrapy of Bactria was a rich source of "two-hump" camels, while Northern Arabia supplied "one-hump" camels.
    • Effect: Camels and horses can be captured in the wild and placed in the Corral. Unlike normal corraled animals, which generate food, the Corraled Camel/Horse functions similarly to a relic. As long as it remains in the Corral, the resource cost of training camel-mounted units or horse-mounted units (as appropriate) is reduced by a fixed amount.
  • CB2
    • 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.
    • History: See above
    • Effect: All Persian Citizen Infantry units have -20% reduced training time to represent their quick mobilization and light status in comparison to the other civs. In consequence, their infantry also have -10% Health.

TEAM BONUS

  • TB1
    • Name: Reform.
    • History: Coinage was invented by the Lydians in 7th Century BC, but it was not very common until the Persian period. Darius the Great standardised coined money and his golden coins (known as "darics") became commonplace not only throughout his empire, but as far to the west as Central Europe.
    • Effect: Higher income from trade routes.

TECHNOLOGIES

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Naval: The Persian navy, while being of great stature, actually consisted entirely of non-Persian elements; ships generally came from Phoenicia, Egypt and Cyprus. Strong navy, so they'd get some naval techs, but without the rare Quinquereme.
  • Siege: Neither here nor there. Apart from the Assyrians, no ancient Middle Eastern civilisation was renown for its siege. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, for example, spent 13 years besieging Tyre before the mighty fortress was finally taken. Do whatever it takes to make their siege unexceptional, mediocre.
  • Economy: Most techs.
    • Farming: Very good agriculture.
    • Mining: Average.
    • Lumbering: Average.
    • Hunting: Average.
    • Land Trade: They had a good trade infrastructure, such as the Royal Highway, so would have good land trade techs. Neither the Persians nor the Parthians engaged readily in trade themselves, leaving most of it to the subject peoples.
    • Naval Trade: Mediocre. Certainly nothing to match the Carthaginian's naval trading bonus.
  • Architecture: Extremely strong and impressive. They should get most techs that enhance the strength of structures and defences.
    • Defences: Formidable walls.

SPECIAL TECHNOLOGIES

(Note: depending on how the pool of shared techs above turn out, two possible STs are proposed below, since it's likely there'll be a standard tech similar to Persian Architecture)

  • ST1
    • Name: Naval Craftsmanship
    • History: Early Achaemenid rulers acted towards making Persia the first great Asian empire to rule the seas. The Great King behaved favourably towards the various sea peoples in order to secure their services, but also carried out various marine initiatives. During the reign of Darius the Great, for example, a canal was built in Egypt and a Persian navy was sent exploring the Indus river. According to Herodotus, some 300 ships in the Persian navy were retrofitted to carry horses and their riders.
    • Effect: Cypriad Galleys gain the unique ability to transport cavalry (which is not normally possible for warships, with the exception of mounted Heroes). This only includes cavalry that occupy two Garrison slots (therefore large cavalry units like elephants, chariots, and so on, cannot board Galleys).
  • ST2
    • Name: Persian Architecture
    • History: The Persians built the wonderful 1200 mile-long Royal Highway from Sardis to Susa; Darius the Great and Xerxes also built the magnificent Persepolis; Cyrus the Great greatly improved Ecbatana and virtually "rebuilt" the old Elamite capital of Susa.
    • Effect: Increases hitpoints of all structures.

FOOTNOTES

Article on Persian equipment, based on Herodotus.

Article on Persian cavalry

TRANSLATIONS

A list of (Modern) Persian translations provided by Tonto_Sanjab, used to create the Persian unit/structure names:

  • Arabian = Tazi (language = Arabi)
  • Aramaean = Arami
  • Archer = Kamandar
  • Armoured = Zerehi
  • Armoured
  • Horse = Aspe Zerehdar
  • Fully Armoured Horse = Aspe Porzereh
  • Assyria = Ashura
  • Assyrian = Ashuri
  • Armoury = Zerehgah
  • Blacksmith = Ahangari
  • Babylon = Babirush
  • Babylonian = Babirushi
  • Bactria = Balkh
  • Bactrian = Balkhi
  • Bireme = Dorade
  • Camelry = Shotorsavaran
  • Cappadocian = Kappadoki
  • Cataphract, Heavy Cavalry = See Armoured Horse, Fully Armoured Horse
  • Cavalry = Aspsavaran
  • Chariot = Chaharcharkhe
  • Cilician = Silisi
  • Corral = Janvargah
  • Cypriad = Kebresi (someone from Cyrpus)
  • Dock = Langargah
  • Farm = Keshtzar
  • Farmer = Keshavarz
  • Fishing Boat = Kashti Mahigiri
  • Fully Armoured = Porzereh
  • Fully Covered = Porpushide
  • Gate = Darvaze
  • Granary = Jowgah
  • Harbour = (See Dock)
  • Heavy = Sangin
  • Horse = Asp
  • Horsekiller = Aspkosh
  • Indian = Hendi
  • Infantry = Piyade
  • Ionian = Yunani (Name for all Greeks, even used today)
  • Javelinist/Javelineer = Zhupinandaz
  • Knight = Gord
  • Lancer = Aspe Neyzedar
  • Light = Sabok
  • Light Cavalry = Aspe Sabok
  • Magus = (See Priest)
  • Man = Mard
  • Mede = Mad
  • Media = Mada
  • Median = Mad (language = Madi)
  • Merchantman = Bazargan
  • Mesapotamian = Miyanrudani
  • Mill = Asiya
  • Orchard = Golestan
  • Outpost = Padgan
  • Palace = Kakh
  • Peasant = Dehgan
  • Persian = Pars (language = Parsi)
  • Phoenician = Finisi
  • Phrygian = Frighi
  • Port = (see Dock)
  • Priest = Mogh
  • Ram = Darvazkub
  • Rider, Horseman = Aspsavar
  • Ship = Kashti
  • Skirmisher = Zhupinandaz
  • Slinger = Sangandaz
  • Soldier = Sarbaz
  • Spearman = Neyzedar
  • Stable = Axor
  • Swordsman = Shamshirdar
  • Temple = Atashkade
  • "the Great" = e Bozorg (eg Dariuse Bozorg)
  • Thrower = Andaz
  • Tower = Borj
  • Trade = Bazargani
  • Trade Ship = Kashti Bazargani
  • Transport Ship = Kashti Adambari
  • Trireme = Serade
  • Three = Se
  • Two = Do
  • Village = Rusta
  • Villager = Rustai
  • Wall = Divar
  • War = Jang / Setiz
  • War Elephant = Pil Jangi
  • Woman = Zan or Banu
  • Zoroastrian = Zartoshti

Persian/English

  1. Parsa/Fars - homeland of the Persians; plus the lowland of Anshan (Khuzistan).
  2. Uvja/Elam
  3. Babirush/Babylonia: modern middle east
  4. Athura/Assyria: eastern Turkey, northern Iraq
  5. Arabaya/Northern Arabia
  6. Mudraya/Egypt; added by Cambyases I.
  7. Tyaiy Drayahya/Northern Turkey: 'the lands beside the (Black) Sea
  8. Sparda/Lydia: Southeastern Turkey
  9. Yauna/Ionian:the same as above
  10. Mada/Media: northeastern Iran; Tarsus mountains.
  11. Armina/Armenia
  12. Katpatuka/Cappadocia: still turkey: central
  13. Parthava/Parthia: eastern Iran
  14. Zraka/Drangiana: Seistan, eastern Iran
  15. Haraiva/Aria: Herat, Afghanistan
  16. Uvarazmish/Kwarazm or Chorasmia: lower Amu Darya: Kazakhstan + Uzbekhstan
  17. Bakhtrish/Bactria: north of the Hindu Kush range
  18. Suguda/Sogdiana: Samarkand region: Afghanistan
  19. Gadara/Gandhara: Peshawar: upper Indus: Pakistan
  20. Saka or Saca/The steppe country inhabited by the Scythian tribes on the Syr Darya
  21. Thatagush/Sattagydia: Kabul: Afghanistan
  22. Harauvatish/Kandahar
  23. Maka/The desert coast of Makran and Baluchistan in southern Iran +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  24. Putaya/Lybia: nominal rule only
  25. Kushiya/Ethiopia: nominal rule
  26. Hindush/The Sind region of lower Indus, Pakistan: nominal rule
  27. Karka/Caria

Additions from rquader:

The language of the Persians was Avestan and also an Indo-European language known as Sanskrit which the Indians spoke. In the old days, many languages had similarities and in essence were derived from other languages, so most of them had many things in common. The speech of the court and nobility in the days of Darius I was Old Persian, a tongue so closely related to Sanskrit that evidently they are both dialects of some language older still.

Old Persian developed on the one hand into Zend, the language of the Zend-Avesta and on the other hand into Pahlavi -- a Hindu language from which has come the Persian language of today, Farsi (spoken in modern Iran).

When the Persians took to writing, they adopted the Babylonian cuneiform for their monumental inscriptions and the Aramaic alphabet for their other documents.

  • Asiya: house, home, dwelling (NOT mill)
  • Jangi: soldier
  • Bow: Dhanu
  • Dhanur Grahin: Archer
  • Nu: Ship
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