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Weapons – The Persians relied heavily on missile troops and cavalry in battle, equipped with javelins and recurved bows. Slingers were also employed by the Persians although in relatively small numbers when compared with archers. Infantry used spears as their main weapons, swords being reserved for the more elite units. In the Late Achaemenid Empire swords became more common as Greek equipment spread throughout the army.
Xiphos
In the 4th century BC Greek arms and equipment were state of the art and the Persians (like many armies) adopted Greek equipment, including the straight Greek xiphos. Since the Persian Wars in the early 5th century, the Persians had suffered many defeats at the hands of the Greeks and logically it was thought that equipping oneself like the enemy would aid in battle against that enemy. Infantry and cavalry of the late Achaemenid Empire carried the xiphos, which was used by the cavalry mainly for defense once they had thrown their javelins.
Palta
Cavalry and missile troops made up the bulk of the Persian army, many of these troops being equipped with these light javelins. They were roughly 4 feet long, with throwing straps to increase the range and power of the weapon when the iron spearhead struck an enemy. Horsemen used a pair of palta as their main offensive weapons, reserving their swords for defense. According to some ancient texts, one javelin was used to throw, while the other was kept for close combat if necessary. In many cases though, the palta would be tossed away and a bladed weapon would be used once hand-to-hand combat began. Light infantry were equipped with javelins as well, often carrying a sagaris for close combat.
Bow
The bow was the core weapon of the Persian army, most of the infantry being armed with a powerful recurved bow similar to the similar Scythian weapon. Recurved bows gained their power by bending the bow opposite to the natural curve of the weapon, creating added tension and force. In battle the large numbers of Persian archers would fire in massive barrages, sending sheets of arrows down on their opponents. Unfortunately, despite the power of their bow, the Persian arrows were extremely light, made of cane and tipped with a three-flanged bronze arrowhead. Due to the lightness of the missile, Persian troops were unable to puncture the heavy armor of Hellenistic soldiers. The recurved bow could be held in a carrying case hung on the back or the left side of a soldier’s belt. In addition the quiver was worn on the hip and allowed for rapid fire, whether on foot or on horseback. The famous Immortals also used the recurved bow, although they carried their quiver on their backs to allow them to close for hand-to-hand combat.
Thrusting Spear
Persian soldiers used a fairly short thrusting spear as their main weapon. Roughly 7 feet long, they were equipped with a broad iron spearhead and counterbalanced by a round metal counterweight. In more elite units the counterweight was silver for soldiers, their officers being equipped with golden ones while bronze counterweights were more common in the rank and file of the Persian army. As a result of these metal counterweights Persian troops were known as “apple-bearers”. In addition to the short spear, the Persians also fielded pikes of roughly 10 feet.
Akinakes
Originally developed by the Scythians, the early Achaemenid Persians adopted the akinakes as their main sword in combat. Roughly 20 inches long (give or take a few inches), the akinakes was worn on the right hip, near the soldier’s fighting hand. The iron blade could be used for either cutting or stabbing, being double edged. Elite troops such as the famous Persian Immortals, or Amrtaka, were the main users of the akinakes, common soldiers being too poor afford swords. Persian soldier’s began using the weapon in the 7th century BC until it finally disappeared from history in the 2nd century BC.
Kopis
The kopis was not limited just to the Greeks, but was utilized by the Persians as well. Infantry and cavalry carried this heavy slashing sword.
Akinaka
Most Persian infantry did not carry swords, rather large daggers, which they carried on their right side, like the akinakes. They could be used in full hand-to-hand combat like a sword or used to kill wounded opponents on a battlefield. Akinaka were in the 10 to 14 inch range.
Sagaris
As with the akinakes, the sagaris (light battle axe) was Scythian in origin, having been adopted by some Persians in the early Achaemenid Empire. It featured a relatively slender iron axe head coupled with a long handle with a reverse spike opposite the axe blade. The sagaris could be used one handed and was capable of chopping through heavy bronze armor, one famous instance of this was when Alexander the Great was almost killed by a sagaris-wielding Persian cavalryman. During the Battle of Granicus, Alexander was leading the Companion Cavalry in combat, when a Persian horseman managed to land a blow with his sagaris on the Macedonian’s helmet, splitting it. The blade of the axe actually touched Alexander’s hair, but fortunately for the Macedonian king, a comrade impaled his attacker with a spear, leaving Alexander unscathed. Many Persian cavalrymen used a sagaris in place of sword for close quarter combat.
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