Project log: Really Small Persians, part II

I’ve finally managed to get some more Persians off the painting table, which is a relief. Together with my previous batch, these wee lads will provide me with a decent-sized contingent for use in smaller battles against my Greeks. I still have a long way to go before I’ve got a “complete” Persian army, but I’m getting there.

First off, a unit of Egyptian Marines. These guys surely know how to build large shields, but their fighting prowess might get dampened a bit by the fact that they’ve been conquered by the Persians themselves fairly recently and now are forced to fight for their conquerors. Stuff like that does wonders with a man’s morale…

Then comes the most classic of Persian infantry units: Immortals in Sparabara formation. These elite forces are the crème de la crème of the Persian army, but they will still have a hard time with Spartan Hoplites, for example. Their one advantage is that they’re carrying bows, and thus will be able to pester the enemy with arrows before a charge.

Speaking of bows: the Persian army is all about missiles, so I needed more dedicated archer units. These light troops will of course be fielded as skirmishers.

Correction: the Persian army is all about missiles and cavalry. You can’t have too many horses when invading Greece, so I’ve painted up some more of them. Here’s a unit of Heavy Cavalry (probably noblemen, most of them). They’ll surely pack a punch when able to get those well-directed charges in.

Some more Medium Cavalry was also finished – the heavy guys do need support as well.

And of course, more bows! Here come the Horse Archers – ultra light skirmish riders from Scythia or some other remote nomad province in Xerxes’ realm.

But no army is complete without commanders. Here’s a general on horseback, together with his trusty standard bearer…

…and the Great King himself in his War Chariot. This model could of course also be used as a “normal” commander.

Speaking of chariots: another trademark Persian unit, the Scythed Chariot. A fine way of breaking up those annoyingly tight Greek hoplite lines.

I also made a little camp for the Persians to live in when they’re not off invading foreign countries. A home away from home, so to speak.

And here they are, happily marching against Attica. A small band so far, but more are bound to come!