Sassanian Army

[Robert Vermaat]

I don't know much about the Sassanids, but it does occur to me that "peasant militia" describes Greek or Republican Roman hoplites pretty well! I doubt that most Sassanid infantry were as good as those troops, but effective ancient soldiers weren't always professional.

I think there's a big difference between a 'peasant militia' from a Greek citty state or the Roman republic on the one hand, or one from the Sassanian aristocracy-ruled empire.
I read one report of the Sassanian peasant infantry being chaned together on the battlefield (don't know if it was an accurate report)...