Page "Greco-Persian Wars" Paragraph 19

The Persian military consisted of a diverse group of men drawn from across the empire.

However, according to Herodotus, there was at least a general conformity in armour and style of fighting.

The troops were usually armed with a bow, a ' short spear ' and a sword or axe, carried a wicker shield.

They wore a leather jerkin, although individuals of high stature wore high quality metal armor.

The Persians most likely used their bows to wear down the enemy, then closed in to deliver the final blow with spears and swords.

The first rank of Persian infantry formations, the so-called ' sparabara ', had no bows, carried larger wicker shields and were sometimes armed with longer spears.

Their role was to protect the back ranks of the formation.

The cavalry probably fought as lightly armed missile cavalry.