Chariots were still being used throughout the Achaemenid
period in a number of different roles. Foreign contingents still maintained
their use, however Persian's military use was now limited to that of a command
vehicle, with a number of exceptions.
Although the chariot was not longer the main offensive arm it was still
seen as a symbol of authority and power. Generals would still use them in
cultural and military parades, for hunting and to transport themselves to
battle.
No only is Xerxes recorded as being carried in a chariot during his invasion
of Greece but he also took with him the sacred chariot of Ahura-Madza. The
golden solar chariot that was dedicated to the one great god. It was pulled
by eight white horses with the charioteer walking behind holding the reins
as no mortal was allowed to ride in it.
In Xerxes invasion of Greece, both the Indian and Libyan contingents were
said to have brought a chariot force.
Probably the most specialised chariot use was that of the scythed chariot
which Xenophon described as used by Cyrus the Great.
Scythed Chariots
Cyrus the Great, according to Xenophon, would never refuse two gifts,
horses and good weapons. He captured many chariots but considered them
an inefficient use of horse and human resources. "
He abolished this system in favour of the war-chariot proper, with strong
wheels to resist the shock of collision, and long axles, on the principle
that a broad base is the firmer, while the driver's seat was changed into
what might be called a turret, stoutly built with timber and reaching
up to the elbow, leaving the driver room to manage the horses above the
rim. The driver's themselves were all fully armed, only their eyes uncovered.
He had iron scythes about two feet long attached to the axles on either
side, and others, under the tree, pointing to the ground, for use in a
charge. Such was the type of chariot invented by Cyrus, and it is still
in use to-day among the subjects of the Great King."
Cyrus is said to have fielded a force of 300 Chariots divided into 3 commands
of 100 against Croesus. One hundred of his own, a hundred from his Assyrian
ally Abradatas of Susa and a hundred converted from the old Median chariots.
There is debate about whether the Scythed chariot were used by the Early
Achaemenid Persians, Xenophon is the only reference to their use by Cyrus
the Great and they do not appear to have been used by Darius or Xerxes
in their campaigns against Greece.
In support of Xenophon, scythed chariots are recorded on both sides of
the battle at Cunaxa 401B.C. The difficulty of transporting them overseas
in the invasion of Greece. Four horses, and the carriage would not only
take up valuable space on board a boat but also when the army was in march,
the presence of numerous chariots would greatly lengthen the army's march
formation. This could cause delays was well as making it harder to defend
against attack when on the march.. They would be useless in any attacks
on cities or fortifications. And finally they inclusion or not in the
army would be dependent on the individual preferences of the King or commander.
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