Version 2 (modified by Erik Johansson, 15 years ago) ( diff )

Formatting + minor edits

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: 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).

Representation: Units from various different cultures. Wide variety of garb, styles and colours. Unusual mounts like camels, chariots and elephants.

  • Persian Military: (note that this only applies to the Persians themselves; any mercenaries/subjugated-nations would use their own national weapons)
    • Spears: Main infantry weapon.
    • Swords: Rarity. Reserved for more elite units such as Immortal (common soldiers too poor to afford swords).
    • 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.
    • Javelins: Also widely used to compensate for poor armour of infantry. Most commonly used by cavalry.
    • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).

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: Neyzedar Madi. (means 'Mede Spearman')
    • Class: Spearman.
    • Ranged Armament: Basic: 7-foot wooden thrusting spear with a broad iron head and round bronze metal counterweight. Cosmetic dagger.
      Advanced: Silver counterweight. Cosmetic dagger.
      Elite: Gold counterweight. Cosmetic akinakes.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Basic: Light red ornate Median garb, similar to that of the Mada Asabari. The Persians and Medians favoured highly contrasting designs and colours. His robes wouldn't be very long, reaching maybe to his knees, with trousers underneath. Unarmoured. Mada Neyzedar
        Advanced: Dark red garb.
        Elite: Bordeaux/purple garb, with "funky psychedelic kiddy-pyjama-like patterns, funny polygons and borders and stuff".
      • 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 Persian beard and moustache visible.)
        Elite: Persian/Median yellow tiara.
      • Shield: Basic: None.
        Advanced: Large rectangular reed/whicker 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 Spearmen comprised the main infantry regiment in the Median Empire. They also remained of very high importance during the Achaemenid period, ranking second only to the Immortals. They were widely used throughout the Empire, as illustrated by the fact that even Ionian cities under Persian rule were guarded by Median battalions.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: Brawl unit of the Persians. Primarily used to occupy opponents while missile units rain projectiles from behind their lines. Virtually cannon fodder, but since they could be cheaply levied from satrapies, they can be produced faster than most civilisations, and so are effective in large hordes.
    • Special: Low hitpoints, reduced attack. Cheap and fast train time.
  • Name: Zhupinandaz Frighi. (means 'Phrygian Javelinist')
    • 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 hide shield (not quite a buckler).
      • Figure(s): Basic: Phrygian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Ultimate: -
    • History: The Phrygians were used by the Persians and Diadochi monarchs alike as excellent foot javelinists. They were certainly the strongest people in Asia Minor in Persia's time. Even later, during the Diadochi period, Phrygia made up the base of Antigonus' great Empire.
    • 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: Kamandar Kappadoki. (means 'Cappadocian Archer')
    • Class: Archer.
    • Ranged Armament: Big Persian Bow. Cosmetic sagaris (light battle axe) in belt. He may be a levy for the local satrap, but he has been practicing with his bow for a long time, well maintained and correctly used. There is also a good chance that the bow was made for him by a close friend or a family member, giving him a great connection to the weapon
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Basic: Yellow tunic and kilt. No armour. Quiver on left hip.
        Advanced: Tunic is mustard yellow and brown.
        Elite: Tunic is dark brown.
      • Helmet: Basic: Bareheaded.
        Advanced: Phrygian style cap.
        Elite: Persian (eastern conical bronze) helmet (the ancient Cappadocian were somewhat related to the Persians.)
      • Shield: Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: Small buckler.
      • Figure(s): Basic: Cappadocian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
    • History: Owing to the predominately mountainous terrain of Asia Minor, the many peoples living there specialised in using ranged weapons (javelins and arrows). Cappadocians, Pisidians, Cilicians and others were regularly levied and served in the Imperial Army.
    • 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 Frighi Zhupinandaz, 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. Slightly better trained than Mede Spearman (longer build time) but cost less (bow and quiver of arrows relatively cheap standard equipment).

CAVALRY

  • Name: Usubari Tazi. (means 'Arabian Camelry')
    • Class: Cavalry javelin thrower.
    • Hacker Armament: Basic: Javelins.
      Advanced: -
      Elite: -
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Basic: Light grey Bedouin clothes. No armour.
        Advanced: Dark grey.
        Elite: Black. Simple breastplate (metal fairly rare, breastplate extremely expensive to produce, therefore becomes a wealthy noble or chieftain).
      • Helmet: Basic: National hat shown in the Persepolis carvings.
        Advanced: Special Bedouin 'towel/cap' that leaves only the eyes visible.
        Elite: Add a large ornament to the towel to show his power.
      • Shield: Basic: None.
        Advanced: Round shield.
        Elite: Round shield.
      • Figure(s): Basic: Arabian hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
      • Mount: Basic: Mounted on a camel (inherits "Stench Aura"). Use an Arabian one-hump camel (as currently modeled, not the Bactrian two-hump type), as Arabian camels were mentioned more often in sources for the Early and Middle Achaemenid period.
        Advanced: -
        Elite: Add a pennant attached to the camel's gear.
    • History: Camelry were used early on very successfully by Cyrus the Great. In the war with the Lydian king Croesus at the battle of Sardes in 546 BC, for instance, camelry was instrumental in disposing of the fearful Lydian Heavy Cavalry.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: Highly effective anti-cavalry, but weaker against infantry. Camels are slower than horses.
    • Special: "Stench Aura", movement rate in sand, and any other traits that are inherent to camels in the wild.
  • Name: Aspe Zerehdar Balkhi. (means 'Bactrian Cataphract/Heavy-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 sword -- 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: Scale shirt covering his torso and shoulders, but his arms should be covered by his tunic. Trousers.
        Advanced: Fully sleeved scale shirt and small tails that hang to about mid thigh height. His legs are wrapped with leather straps, that look like big bandages.
        Elite: Full hauberk, throat to ankles, elaborate, VERY expensive. Make sure the hauberk hangs from his waist; don't make the hauberk like a body suit, more like Neo's jacket in Matrix Reloaded: form fitting on the torso and arms, but below the waist more skirt-like His legs too would be wrapped with leather.
      • 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 a hanging sash of scale from the back of the helmet covering the neck.
      • 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. They smashed the enemy after the Asabari and infantry missile troops had loosened up the enemy formation with arrows and javelins. This was also the first major appearance of shock cavalry.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: See History.
    • Special: The Cataphract should be slower than the Mada Asabari. Well armoured.
  • Name: Asabari Madi. (means 'Mede Light 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 light red Median garb (with circles, squares, rosettes and stripe patterns). Trousers.
        Advanced: Add scale shirt (mid red colours for his clothing).
        Elite: Scale shirt with psychedelic shapes and dark red colours on his trousers and tunic sleeves.
      • Helmet: Basic: Dark yellow Median cap.
        Advanced: Tiara.
        Elite: Bronze helmet with black plume.
      • Shield: Basic: None.
        Advanced: None.
        Elite: Leather shield.
      • Figure(s): Basic: Median hair and beard style (also this subject nation's cap).
        Advanced: -
        Elite: -
      • Mount: Basic: Mounted on a light horse. No horse armour. "Median horses were noted for their size and strength, although not particularly tall, about 14 or 15 hands. They had large heads and strong necks with most being chestnuts, browns or blacks."
        Advanced: -
        Ultimate: -
    • History: The Mede Light Horse was the most widely used type of cavalry by the Persians, since Persian (and Median) boys were taught how to use a bow and ride a horse from a very early age. It was first introduced by the Median kings and was vital in the Median victory over the mighty Assyrians.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: ?
    • Special: Poorly armoured, but fast.
  • Name: Chaharcharkhe Pars. (means 'Persian Scythed Chariot')
    • 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 Neyzedar (use same colours). Armour: None. Advanced:
          • Archer: Robes become medium red. Armour: Scale shirt, throat to mid-thigh.
          • Driver: Same colour adjustment as Mada Neyzedar. Armour: Small pectoral disc. Ultimate:
          • Archer: Robes become dark red. Armour: "Neo-style" scale hauberk.
          • Driver: Same colour adjustment as Mada Neyzedar. 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: - Ultimate:
        • 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. If the Illiad is any example of ancient Mycenean martial relationships, the bond between warrior and charioteer was very strong in that culture.
        • 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: Chariots were the bulwark of most Middle Eastern armies during the latter part of the II millennium BC and retain their importance later on as elite units. The Persians learnt to use chariots from the Assyrians and Babylonians and employed them on several occasions. The introduction of scythes made the chariots very effective against enemy infantry. Their expensive equipment, however, meant that they were restricted to noblemen only and hence were difficult to amass.
    • 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: Mogh Madi (means 'Mede Magus')
    • Class: Priest.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: White gown.
      • Helmet: None.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): Short hair. No beard or moustache. Otherwise Median facial features.
    • History: Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism was a Mede, and the theocracy of the Magi consequently remained almost entirely of Median origin until the demise of the Empire.
    • 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: -

WAR SHIPS

  • 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: Ship on the left, in combat with Greeks. Phoenician Trireme being rammed by a Greek ship at Salamis.
    • 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.

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: Amrtaka Pars. (means 'Persian Immortal')
    • Class: Super Infantry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Spear of the Immortal (wooden spear with an iron head. Length about 2.5 metres); ornamental Akinakes sword.
    • Ranged Armament: Short bow.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Richly embroidered knee-length tunic. Corset with metal plate scales worn over the tunic. Trousers.
      • Helmet: Soft woollen or felt cap (white tiara).
      • Shield: Gerron (violin shield); figure eight shield with two concave "holes" in it. Traditional close combat shield and very distinctive piece of Persian equipment.
      • Figure(s): A strong, well-built and confident-looking fellow (should really look like a combat veteran).
    • History: The Immortals (Amrtaka) were an elite corpus of 10,000 men ('myrias' in Greek), which was made up of young Persian noblemen. They got their name from the fact that their number remained the same during battle (whenever a soldier died, he was instantly substituted).
    • Garrison: 1.
    • 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). But they were the only standing Persian infantry, so they should be pretty powerful in order to aid the weak Persian infantry.
    • 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: Pil Jangi Hendi. (means 'Indian War Elephant')
    • Class: Super Cavalry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Ram (Crushing impact tusk attack, effective against structures).
    • Ranged Armament:
      • Mahout: None.
      • Rajah: Three-pronged javelin.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        • Mahout: White trousers. No shirt.
        • Rajah: White trousers. Well-dressed, armoured (in traditional Indian warfare the rajahs and nobles fought atop the elephants).
      • Helmet:
        • Mahout: Red 'towel' (turban).
        • Rajah: Red 'towel' (turban).
      • Shield:
        • Mahout: None.
        • Rajah: None.
      • Figure(s):
        • Mahout: Half-naked Indian.
        • Rajah: Noble indian (throws javelins at the enemy).
      • Mount: Indian (Asian) Elephant (preferably larger than the Carthaginian's now-extinct North African Mountain one). No tower. Elaborate figures and stripes, especially around the eyes, painted in bright colours, preferably red and yellow.
    • History: Persian Elephants were saddled, and fed rice wine before a battle to make them more aggressive. The Persians did not use elephants very often, while the Carthaginians constructed huge stables harbouring up to 300 beasts at Carthage. The Seleucids also employed elephants more widely.
    • Garrison: 3.
    • Function: Hitpoints: High. Movement: Slow.
    • Special:
      • Strong against siege weapons, all Citizen Soldier units and cavalry units of any kind (except other elephants). Weak against Infantry Spearmen (whom have the normal bonus to their AT against cavalry units).
      • "Damage Frenzy".
      • "Stench" Aura.
      • "Trample Damage" Aura.

HEROES

  • Name: Cyrus. (in Old Persian "Kurush", meaning "sun")
    • 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 conquered Media, Lydia, Babylonia and Bactria, thereby establishing the Persian Empire. He was also renown as a benevolent conqueror. (OP - Kurush).
    • 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: Darius. (in Old Persian "Darayavaush")
    • 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 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).
    • Garrison: 1.
    • 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).
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura increases movement speed of nearby units.
  • Name: Xerxes. (in Old Persian "Khshayarsha")
    • 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 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).
    • 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.

NEW UNIT TRAITS

  • For the Elephant template (mount or wild): "Damage Frenzy" Aura.
  • For the Elephant template (mount or wild): "Trample" Aura.
  • For the Camel and Elephant template (mount or wild): "Stench" Aura.

CIV CENTRE UNITS

  • Melee Infantry: Neyzedar Madi.
  • Ranged Infantry: Kamandar Kappadoki.
  • Cavalry: Asabari Madi.

FORBIDDEN CLASSES

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

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS

VILLAGE

  • Name: Satrapy. (Means 'province'.)
    • Class: Civ Centre.
    • History: Possibly of Median origin, the word 'satrapy' means province. Soon after coming to the throne, Darius the Great carried out a vast administrative reform, dividing the huge empire into 20 satrapies governed by satraps.
  • 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.
  • 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: Janvargah. (Means 'animal place'.)
    • Class: Corral.
    • History: The Persian kings established Royal Establishments of Horses, 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: Langargah. (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: Atashkade. (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: Bazaar. (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: Kakh. (means '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.
    • 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 Ore Pool increases by a very small but continuous trickle. The rate is dependent upon the number of Satrapies belonging to the player; if all his Satrapies are destroyed, the Kakh has no effect until more Satrapies are constructed. The player cannot build more than one Kakh at a time, and destroying the Kakh 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: Levied Hordes
    • 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.
    • Effect: The cost and build time for all Persian Infantry Citizens is reduced, to compensate for their weak armour and attack.

TEAM BONUS

  • TB1
    • Name: Reform.
    • History: Coinage was invented by the Lydians in VII c. 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 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.
  • Cavalry: Cavalry were strong. They should have the strongest cavalry prior to the introduction of Parthians and Huns. Virtually no armour upgrades.
  • 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

Paal_101's excellent article on Persian weapons and armour.

Article on Persian equipment, based on Herodotus.

Article on Persian cavalry

Colour image of subject nation hair and beard styles.

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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