The Persian Sparabara were the front-line infantry soldiers of the Achaemenid Empire, serving prominently from the 6th to the 4th centuries BCE. These troops were part of the larger Persian military strategy that relied on both their defensive and offensive capabilities. Sparabara were equipped with large wicker shields, known as "spara," and long spears. Their shields provided significant protection, forming a shield wall to defend against enemy projectiles and charges.
Typically recruited from the empire's vast territories, Sparabara were lightly armored, allowing for greater mobility. They often wore simple tunics and trousers, with limited metal armor. In battle, they formed the first line of defense, protecting the archers and other troops positioned behind them. Their effectiveness lay in their ability to hold the line and absorb enemy attacks, creating opportunities for the more heavily armed Persian troops and cavalry to exploit.
The Sparabara were integral to the Persian military's success, particularly under leaders like Cyrus the Great and Darius I, contributing to the expansion and maintenance of one of the ancient world's largest empires.
Armies of the ancient near east used trumpets to signal orders to their units. These trumpets are still used in traditional Iranian music today.
There are few depictions of Persian standards in art, we do know that each Persian commander had a personal standard to identify them outside their tents while in camp, it is reasonable to assume these were used to identify their units while in a formation.
The command pack consists of a leader, musician and standard bearer all metal figures
Contains:
3 metal figures
