DBM Army Lists Using DBM 2.1 Rules (350points) : Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC
DBM Army Lists Using DBM 2.1 Rules (350points) : Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC
1 rules (350Points)
The following army lists are all Early Achaemenid Persian. They are meant to be a close
approximation of the forces involved while still following the troop types and maximum
and minimum numbers set out in the DBM army lists.
Under 2.1 this army benefits by reduced cost of BW (X) second element, (-2 reg, -1 Irr).
And Expendables are now 7 pts instead of 10 points.
This list covers Achaemenid Persian armies from Cyrus the Great's defeat of the Medes until the abandonment of sparabara infantry.
The current view is that Immortals and other Persian line infantry at the time of the invasions of Greece were organised with a single
rank of men armed with spear and pavise (sparabara), followed by nine ranks armed with bow and side-arms. The minimum marked *
applies only if any Immortals are used, in which case 6 can be deducted from the minimum number of other sparabara foot.
Minimums marked ** apply if any troops so marked are used. Most such troops are taken from Herodotus' list of those taking part in
Xerxes invasion of Greece. Other troops specified by him as equivalent can be substituted, with the same classifications and cost.
Those marked *** are ascribed by Xenohon to Cyrus the Great. The scythed chariots and towers are probably fictional, but since the
camelry improvised with baggage camels are also mentioned by Herodtus, all three gimmicks are inclued on the off- chance that they
were used. The camel gimmick is the only one of the three that can be used without the other two. Minimums marked **** apply only
if any Thebans troops are used.
Dry. AG 3. RV, H(S),H(G), O, RGo, Rd, BUA. Only after 526BC: WW, E.
This list covers Achaemenid Persian armies from Cyrus the Great's defeat of the Medes until the abandonment of sparabara infantry.
The current view is that Immortals and other Persian line infantry at the time of the invasions of Greece were organised with a single
rank of men armed with spear and pavise (sparabara), followed by nine ranks armed with bow and side-arms. The minimum marked *
applies only if any Immortals are used, in which case 6 can be deducted from the minimum number of other sparabara foot.
Minimums marked ** apply if any troops so marked are used. Most such troops are taken from Herodotus' list of those taking part in
Xerxes invasion of Greece. Other troops specified by him as equivalent can be substituted, with the same classifications and cost.
Those marked *** are ascribed by Xenohon to Cyrus the Great. The scythed chariots and towers are probably fictional, but since the
camelry improvised with baggage camels are also mentioned by Herodotus, all three gimmicks are inclued on the off- chance that they
were used. The camel gimmick is the only one of the three that can be used without the other two. If Ps, cescnt shielded archers can
support takabara. Herodotus mentions a divine standard in a sacred chariot. This would be kept in the camp during battle and so
should appear only as part of the baggage, and then only if the C-in-C is the Great King in his chariot and Immortals are also used.
Assyrian and Chaldean psiloi can support their spearmen.
This list represents the armies of Achaemenid Persia from the abandonment of the sparabara infantry as the main infantry type until
the final defeat of Darius by Alexander The (S) cavalry repreent those on armoured horses. A C-in-C's chariot element can be
exchanged for an extra Kinsmen calavry element if any command becomes demoralised. It cannot be exchanged back.. Persian
psiloi(O) with bows can support takabara. If elehants are used or guard cavalry are upgraded to Kn - representing their re-arming with
lance - Kardakes, Egytians, Thracians, Greek peltasts and Cretans cannot be used, the maximum number of hoplite elements permitted
is 6, and the King of Kings in his charit, guard infantry and elephants are compulsory. This represents Darius's army at Gaugamela. If
Lykian allies are used, no Guard Infantry, Kinsmen cavalry, Elephants or Indian can be used.
Total: 102pts
Total of 15 elements
Demoralised after losing 4.5 elements
Second Command
Sub general Reg CV(O) 1 28pts
Immortals Reg Bw(X/S) 8 48pts
Sparabara foot Irr Bw(X/O) 10 40pts
Third Command
Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28pts
Kaspian Light Horse Irr LH (F) 8 32pts
Armenians Irr Ax(O) 8 24pts
Kaspian Light Archers Irr Ps(O) 8 16pts
Parthian Archers Irr Bw(O) 8 32pts
Total: 132pts
Total of 33 elements
Demoralised after losing 10 elements
Total: 122pts
Total of 15 elements
Second Command
Sub general Reg CV(O) 1 28pts
Immortals Reg Bw(X/S) 8 48pts
Sparabara foot Irr Bw(X/O) 10 45pts
Mobile Towers Irr WWg(S) 2 20pts
Total: 141pts
Total of 21 elements
Demoralised after losing 7 elements
Third Command
Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28pts
Kaspian Light Horse Irr LH (F) 4 16pts
Kaspian Light Archers Irr Ps(O) 7 14pts
Armenians Irr Ax(O) 4 12ap
Parthian Archers Irr Bw(O) 4 16pts
Total: 86pts
Total of 20 elements
Demoralised after losing 5.5 elements
Cambyses II
Main Command ( Cambyses II )
CinC Reg Cv(0) 1 28pts
Guard Cavalry Reg Cv(O) 2 16pts
Immortals Reg Bw(X/S) 8 48pts
Sparabara foot Irr Bw(X/O) 8 32pts
Phrygian light Irr Ps(S) 6 18pts
Total: 142pts
Total of 25 elements
Demoralised after losing 7.5
Second Command
Sub general Reg CV(O) 1 28pts
Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 8 56pts
Bactrians Irr LH (S) 4 28pts
Third Command
Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28pts
Lydian Hoplites Irr Sp(O) 4 16pts
Arab Camelry Irr Cm(O) 2 12pts
Kaspian Light Horse Irr LH (F) 3 12pts
Armenians Irr Ax(O) 4 12pts
Parthian Archers Irr Bw(O) 2 8pts
Milyan archers Irr Ps(I) 8 8pts
Total: 96 pts
Total of 24 elements
Demoralised after losing 7 elements
Similar to above list. Possible troops could include Indian Infantry & chariots, large
numbers of Bactrians.
Total: 148
Total of 33 elements
Demoralised after losing 10.5 elements
Third command
Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28pts
Armenians Irr Ax(O) 8 24pts
Assyrian Spearmen Reg Sp(I) 2 8pts
Parthian Archers Irr Bw(O) 4 16pts
Chaldean Light Infantry Reg Ps(O) 2 4pts
Milyan Light Infantry Irr Ps(O) 4 8pts
Total: 97 pts
Total of 30 elements
Demoralised after losing 7.5 elements
Total: 132pts
total of 25 elements
Demoralised after losing 8.5 elements
Third command
Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28 pts
Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 4 28 pts
Paphlagonians Irr Ax(O) 4 12 pts
Libyan Light Infantry Irr Ps(O) 6 6 pts
Parthian Archers Irr Bw(O) 2 8 pts
Total: 82
Total of 17 elements
Demoralised after losing 5.0 elements