12-22-2009, 06:35 PM
[quote="GäitenIIRC in the Shahname are a late Sassanian battle order and tactics described, that ferocious infantry charges were up to break up the enemy`s formation.
In Theophanes` report of the Battle of Nineveh (626 AD) (Theoph. A.M. 6118) is described that Heraclius`s horse was wounded by footsoldiers` weapons. That Sassanian infantry were capable in breaking up the Byzantine formation and could directly attack the emperor speaks of their battle acumen.
The other, more professional foot soldiers could have belonged to the warrior caste, could have not they?[/quote]
Shahname uses a form "splendid" or "glorious" infantry in on place. So your observations overlap my mine.
The paighan might be recruited from all-over the state I believe. Especially in dire straits the state was recruiting virtually everybody. If you consider Iranian armies of teh Arab conquest you might find them dominated by large units of infantry and elephants and diminished role of cavlry. This might result from losses in manpower of aristocratic descent and losses of mounts in Heracleian wars, civil wars and in initial phase of Islamic conquest. Anyway - nice to meet someone much into topic which has been my hobby for a while
In Theophanes` report of the Battle of Nineveh (626 AD) (Theoph. A.M. 6118) is described that Heraclius`s horse was wounded by footsoldiers` weapons. That Sassanian infantry were capable in breaking up the Byzantine formation and could directly attack the emperor speaks of their battle acumen.
The other, more professional foot soldiers could have belonged to the warrior caste, could have not they?[/quote]
Shahname uses a form "splendid" or "glorious" infantry in on place. So your observations overlap my mine.
The paighan might be recruited from all-over the state I believe. Especially in dire straits the state was recruiting virtually everybody. If you consider Iranian armies of teh Arab conquest you might find them dominated by large units of infantry and elephants and diminished role of cavlry. This might result from losses in manpower of aristocratic descent and losses of mounts in Heracleian wars, civil wars and in initial phase of Islamic conquest. Anyway - nice to meet someone much into topic which has been my hobby for a while
Patryk N. Skupniewicz
