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DBM Army Lists Using DBM 2.1 Rules (350points) : Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC

The document describes several Early Achaemenid Persian army lists for use with the DBM 2.1 wargaming rules. It provides details on troop types, organization, and the time periods each list covers. Lists include forces from Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC through the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC. Troop costs and organization changed over time as the Achaemenid empire expanded and adopted troops from conquered regions.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
126 views8 pages

DBM Army Lists Using DBM 2.1 Rules (350points) : Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC

The document describes several Early Achaemenid Persian army lists for use with the DBM 2.1 wargaming rules. It provides details on troop types, organization, and the time periods each list covers. Lists include forces from Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC through the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC. Troop costs and organization changed over time as the Achaemenid empire expanded and adopted troops from conquered regions.

Uploaded by

DirkHeinsius
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DBM Army Lists using DBM 2.

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.

 Early Achaemenid Persian DBM List Book 1 1st Edition


 Early Achaemenid Persian DBM List Book 1 2nd Edition
 Later Achaemenid Persian DBM List Book 2 1st Edition
 Pteria 547 B.C.
 Thymbra 546.B.C
 Pelusium 525.B.C
 Indian 520 B.C.
 Marathon 490 B.C.
 Plataea 475 B.C.

Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC

List 60 1st Edition

Dry. AG 3. RV, H(S), O,E, RGo, Rd. BUA

C-in-C Reg Cv(O) @ 27AP in 2-horse chariot or 28AP if on horse 1


Sub-general - Reg Cv (O) @ 28AP 1-2
Guard Cavalry Reg Cv (O) @ 8AP 0-2
Persia or Median Cavalry -Irr Cv (O) @7 AP 6-10
Immortals -half Reg Bw (X) @ 7 AP, half Reg Bw (S) @ 7AP,
with 1 (X) & 1 (S) on each double base.
*6-12
Other Sparabara foot -half Irr Bw (X) @ 5AP, half Irr Bw(O) @ 4AP.
with 1 (X) & 1 (S) on each double base. 14-
20
Capsian Skythian or similar cavalry - Irr LH (F) @ 4AP **2-8
Armenians, Paphlagonians - Irr Ax (O) @ 3AP **2-8
Capsian, Parikanian or similar archers Irr Ps (O) @ 2AP 0-8
Pathian, Bactian or similar archers - Irr Bw (O) @ 4AP **2-8
Levy dregs -Irr Hd (O) @ 1 AP 0-
20

Only before 546 BC


Cyrus' camelry -Irr Cm (I) @ 5AP ***2-5
Cyrus' scythed chariots _-Irr Exp (O) @ 7AP ***2-3
Cyrus' mobile towers -Irr WWg (S) @ 10 AP ***1-3

Only After 546 BC:


Bactrian cavalry Irr LH(S) @ 7AP **2-5
Theban cavalry Reg Cv (I) @ 6AP
****2
Thessalian cavalry Irr LH (O) @ 5AP ****0-6
Mysians, Pisisdians or similar -Irr PS (S) @ 3AP **2-8
Libyans, Milyans or similar -Irr Ps (I) @ 1 AP 0-6
Thracians -Irr AX (O) @ 3AP or Irr AX (S) @ 4AP 0-6
Indian Infantry -Irr Bw (S) @ 5AP 0-2
Lydian, Ionian or medizing Greek Hoplites Irr SP (O) @ 5AP
or Theban allied Irr SP (O) @ 4AP 0-
20
Assyrian and Chaldean infantry - half Reg Sp(I) & half Reg Ps (O) @ 2 AP 0-4
Bedouin camelry Irr Cm (O) @ 6AP or Irr LH (I) @ 3AP 0-2
Indian chariots -Irr Kn (S) @ 11AP 0-1
Libyan chariots -Irr Cv (O) @ 6AP 0-1
Triremes Reg Gal (O) @ 3AP [Phocenian AX, Egyptian Sp, Ionian Sp, Lykian Bw] 0-8
Phoencians marines - Reg AX (O) @ 4AP Up to 1 per 2 Gal
Egyptian marines - Reg Sp(I) (O) @ 4AP Up to 1 per 2 Gal

Lykian marines - Irr Bw (O) @ 4AP Up to 1 per 4 Gal


Transports - Irr Shp(I) @ 2AP [Cv or Bg] 0-8

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.

Early Achaemenid Persian 550-420 BC

Book 1 List 60 2nd Edition

Dry. AG 3. RV, H(S),H(G), O, RGo, Rd, BUA. Only after 526BC: WW, E.

C-in-C Reg Cv(O) @ 27AP in 2-horse chariot or 28AP if on horse 1


Sub-general - Reg Cv (O) @ 28AP 1- 2
Guard Cavalry Reg Cv (O) @ 8AP
0- 2
Persia or Median Cavalry -Irr Cv (O) @7 AP 6-10
Immortals
- double based Reg Bw, front rank (X) @ 7 AP, rear rank (S) @ 5AP. *6-12
Other Sparabara foot
- double based Irr Bw, front rank (X) @ 5AP, rear rank (O) @ 3AP. 14-32
Capsian, Skythian or similar cavalry - Irr LH (F) @ 4AP **2- 8
Sagartian lasso-men -Irr LH (F) @ 5 AP 0- 2
Armenians, Paphlagonians, Bithynians Thracians or similar
- Irr Ax (O) @ 3AP
**2- 8
Capsian, Parikanian or similar archers Irr Ps (O) @ 2AP 0- 8
Pathian, Bactian, Skythian or similar archers - Irr Bw (O) @ 4AP **2- 8
Levy dregs -Irr Hd (O) @ 1 AP
0-20
Palisade to protect camp -TF @ 1AP 0-12

Only in 550 BC:


Mede rebel allies - List Medes, Zikirtu, Andia or Parsua (Bk 1)

Only before 546 BC:


Cyrus' camelry -Irr Cm (I) @ 5AP ***2- 5
Cyrus' scythed chariots _-Irr Exp (O) @ 7AP ***2- 3
Cyrus' mobile towers -Irr WWg (S) @ 10 AP ***1- 3

Only After 546 BC:


Bactrian cavalry Irr LH(S) @ 7AP **2- 5
Mysians, Pisisdians or similar -Irr PS (S) @ 3AP **2- 8
Milyan javelinmen and archers
- up to 1/2 Irr Ps(O) @ 2AP, rest Irr Ps(I) @ 1AP 0- 4
Lydian or Ionian Hoplites Irr SP(I) @ 3AP 0- 6
Assyrian and Chaldean infantry
- half Reg Sp(I) @ 4AP, half Reg Ps(O) @ 2 AP 0- 4
Bedouin camelry Irr Cm (O) @ 6AP or Irr LH (I) @ 3AP 0- 2
Triremes Reg Gal (O) @ 3AP [Phocenian AX, Ionian Sp, Lykian Bw] 0- 8
Lykian marines - Irr Bw (O) @ 4AP Up to 1 per 4 Gal

Only after 539 BC:


Phoencians marines - Reg AX (O) @ 4AP Up to 1 per Gal

Only in 530 BC:


Saka allies - List Kimmerian, Skythian or Early HU (Bk 1)

Only after 526 BC:


Libyan javelinmen -Irr Ps (I) @ 1 AP 0- 4
Libyan chariots -Irr Cv (O) @ 6AP 0- 1
Indian Infantry -Irr Bw (S) @ 5AP 0- 2
Indian chariots -Irr Kn (S) @ 11AP 0- 1
Egyptian marines - Reg Sp(O) @ 5AP 0- 3
Egyptian triremes - Reg Gal(O) @ 3AP [Egyptian marines] 0- 3
Transports - Irr Shp(I) @ 2AP [Cv or Bg] 0- 8

Only from 492 BC to 466 BC:


European Thracians -Irr AX(O) @ 3AP or Irr AX(S) @ 4AP 0- 4

Only in 479 BC:


Medizing Greek allies -
Medizing Greek ally- general - Irr Sp(O) @ 9AP 1
Medizing Theban cavalry Reg Cv (I) @ 6AP 1- 2
Medizing Thessalian cavalry -Irr LH (O) @ 5 AP 0- 3
Medizing Greek hoplites - Irr Sp(O) @ 4AP 6-11
Medizing Greek javelinmen - Irr Ps(I) @ 1AP 0- 4

Only from 465 BC to 449 BC:


Replace sparabara foot with crescent-shielded archer
- Immortals as Reg Bw (O) @ 5AP
or Reg Ps (O) @ 2AP, others as Irr Bw (O) @ 4AP
or Irr Ps (O) @ 2 AP 0-1/2

Only after 449 BC:


Replace sparbara with up to1/4 takabara peltasts
- Immortals as Reg Ax (O) @ 4AP,
others as Irr Ax (O) @ 3AP,
remainder with crescent-shielded archers as above 1/2-All

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.

Later Achaemenid Persian 420-330BC

Book 2 1st Edition

Dry. AG 2. RV, H(S), H(G), O,E, RGo, Rd BUA


C-in-C Reg Cv(O) on horse @ 28AP or in chariot @27AP or
Reg Cv (S) on armoured horse @ 30AP 1
Persian sub-general
- Reg Cv (O) on horse @ 28AP or Reg C(S) on armoured horse @ 30 AP 1-2
Greek sub-general Reg Cv(I) @ 26AP 0-1
Guard Infantry All Reg SP (S) @ 7 AP or all Reg Bw (O) @ 5AP 0-2
Persia or Median Cavalry -Irr Cv (O) @7 AP 6-10
Upgrade Kinsmen cavalry (Royal Guard) to Reg CV (O) @ 8AP
or Reg Kn (F) @ 11 AP 0-2
Satrapal guard, Armenians, Kappadokians,
Bactrians or Massagetae - Irr Cv(S) @ 9AP 0-8
Upgrade Satrapal guard to Reg Cv (S) @ 10 AP 0-2
Colonist cavalry - Irr CV (I) @ 5 AP 12-20
Paphlagonians, Arachosians etc - Irr LH (O) @ 5AP 6-10
Bactians - Irr LH (S) @ 7AP 0-10
Skythians and Parthians - Irr LH (F) @ 4AP 0-10
Greek Hoplites: Mercenary, Reg SP (O) @ 5AP or
Theban allied Irr SP (O) @ 4AP 0-20
Greek Mercenary peltasts Reg AX (O) @ 4 AP 0-3
Karian or Ionian hoplites, Kardakes or Egyptians -Reg Sp (I) @ 4AP 0-24
Takabara "Persian peltasts" Irr AX (O) @ 3AP 0-20
Upgrade court takabara to Reg AX (O) @ 4AP 0-4
Hillmen - Irr AX (O) @ 3AP or Irr PS (S) @ 3 AP 0-6
Chalybes - Irr AX (O) @ 3 AP 0-4
Persian archers or slingers - Irr Ps (O) @ 2AP 0-12
Cretan mercenary archers - Reg Ps (O) @ 2AP 0-2
Mardian archers - Irr BW (I) @ 3AP 0-3
Thracians -Irr AX (O) @ 3AP or Irr AX (S) @ 4AP 0-3
Levy and servants - Irr Hd (O) @ 1AP 0-20
Scythed chariots - Irr El (O) @ 16 AP 0-1
Indian cavalry -Irr Cv (I) @ 5AP 0-2
Trieres - Reg Gal (O) @ 3 AP [Phocenian AX (O)] 0-6
Phoencians marines - Reg AX (O) @ 4AP 1 per Gal
Lykian allies - List: Lykian (Bk 1)

Only after 350 BC:


Penteres and tetreres - Reg Gal (S) @ 4AP [Phoencian AX (O) 0-1

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.

Persian Conquest of Lydia 547 B.C.

Cyrus The Great: Pteria

Main Command (Cyrus)


CinC Reg Cv(0) 1 28pts
Median-Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 10 70pts
Levy Dregs Irr Hd(O) 4 4pts

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

Total: 116 pts


Total of 19 elements
Demoralised after losing 6.5 elements

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

Cyrus The Great: Thymbra 546 B.C.


Main Command (Cyrus)
CinC Reg Cv(0) 1 28pts
Median - Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 9 63pts
Camelry Irr Cm(I) 2 10pts
Scythed Chariots Irr Exp(O) 3 21pts

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

Persian Conquest of Egypt 525 B.C.

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

Total: 112 pts


Total of 13 elements
Demoralised after losing 4.5 elements

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

Darius' Campaign Against India 520 - 515 B.C.

Similar to above list. Possible troops could include Indian Infantry & chariots, large
numbers of Bactrians.

Marathon 490 B.C.


A disappointing end to an otherwise successful campaign. Artaphernes could be has been
classed as on a flank march to simulate his absence at the battle and to give the Greeks a
reason to act quickly.
We know that cavalry were present but did not take any major role in the action. Most
were either on board the transport ships or had already moved on towards Athens.

Main Command - Datis


CinC Reg Cv(0) 1 28 pts
Sparabara foot Irr Bw(X/O) 20 80 pts
Ionian Hoplites Irr Sp (O) 8 32 pts
Kaspian Archers Irr Ps(O) 4 8 pts

Total: 148
Total of 33 elements
Demoralised after losing 10.5 elements

Second command - Artaphernes


Allied general Reg Cv(O) 1 28pts
Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 7 49pts
Skythian Cavalry Irr LH (F) 4 16pts
Mysians Irr Ps(S) 4 12pts

Total: 105 pts


Total of 16 elements
Demoralised after losing 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

Baggage guard Irr Hd(O) 9 9pts

Total: 97 pts
Total of 30 elements
Demoralised after losing 7.5 elements

Xerxes II Campaign against Greece

Plataea 479 B.C.


Main Command - Mardonius
CinC Reg Cv(0) 1 28pts
Immortals Reg Bw(X/S) 8 48pts
Guard Cavalry Reg Cav (O) 2 16pts
Persian Cavalry Irr Cv(O) 4 28pts
Skythian Cavalry Irr LH (F) 2 8pts
Kaspian Archers Irr Ps(O) 4 8pts

Total: 136 pts


Total of 21 elements
Demoralised after losing 6.5 elements

Second command - Artabazeus


Sub-general Reg Cv(O) 1 28 pts
Sparabara foot Irr Bw(X/O) 8 32 pts
Theban Hoplites Irr Sp(O) 8 32 pts
Theban Cavalry Irr Cv (I) 2 10 pts
Thessalian Light Horse Irr LH(O) 6 30 pts

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

Return to Mark's Achaemenid Persian Page

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