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SAKA ARCHER OF GREEK AND PERSIAN WARS PERIOD (BATTLE OF MARATHON-SEPTEMBER 490 BC)

Commissioned artwork and armor research concerning the battle of Marathon published in Greece (2005) and worlwide (2008)-Copyright : Christos Giannopoulos

The nomadic Iranian Saka archers, living east of the Black Sea, were an elite infantry unit of the Achaemenid Persian imperial army as they were particularly useful not only as archers and marines but also as front line shock infantry (for Saka marines check the relevant illustration in this gallery).

Especially in the battle of Marathon, they were arrayed in the center of the Persian formation, behind Persian “Sparabara” (large cane and leather “spara” shield and spear bearing spearmen) against Athenian hoplites. The main view is that they unleashed massive volleys of arrows before they engaged in close quarters battle with advancing Athenians. The Athenian center in the battle of Marathon (which was the weak part of their formation) received the massive onslaught of the Saka and retreated thus drive them gradually in circumvallation by the Athenian – Platean flanks hoplites. We must also consider that Persian army was rather superior in numbers. Of course this a summarized simple description of what happened in Marathon that day, it would take a huge analysis to cover all details of battle and yet wouldn’t be enough…

In addition to the strong composite bow rested in the massive “gorrytos” bow case, Saka used as offensive weapons, the short Iranian “akinaka” shord tight to their right thigh, a curved bladed sword and the wedge-shaped "sagaris" ax (that was able to penetrate every Greek helmet and every Greek metal or composite armor). Of course the “sagaris” is not easy to be used in a crowded confrontation against a Greek shield wall phalanx; you need to have an “arm distance” from opponent to deliver a blow. Therefore I assume that the “Sparabara” shielded front line infantry armed with solid spears was necessary to push back the Athenians and give the Saka the opportunity to hack with “sagaris” ax and sword the disorganized hoplites.

An ethnic feature of Saka military uniform is the leopard skin cap with a pointed end, to which some of their breeds owe their name "Saka tigrakhauda" which means "the Saka with pointed hats". There were many references in the ancient world- recorded by Herodotus - that Scythian and Saka clothing and standards were occasionally made of human skin, and that heads of high status fallen enemies were flailed and galvanized with gold or silver to become drinking cups. Scalps of killed opponents were also removed and taken as trophies during battle. The steppe lands nomadic warfare was brutal, but ancient survival attitudes and battle rituals have their own mentality and is difficult to be explained to modern urban environment audiences. Hopefully this will be done in future deviations …

Description

SAKA ARCHER OF GREEK AND PERSIAN WARS PERIOD (BATTLE OF MARATHON-SEPTEMBER 490 BC)

Commissioned artwork and armor research concerning the battle of Marathon published in Greece (2005) and worlwide (2008)-Copyright : Christos Giannopoulos

The nomadic Iranian Saka archers, living east of the Black Sea, were an elite infantry unit of the Achaemenid Persian imperial army as they were particularly useful not only as archers and marines but also as front line shock infantry (for Saka marines check the relevant illustration in this gallery).

Especially in the battle of Marathon, they were arrayed in the center of the Persian formation, behind Persian “Sparabara” (large cane and leather “spara” shield and spear bearing spearmen) against Athenian hoplites. The main view is that they unleashed massive volleys of arrows before they engaged in close quarters battle with advancing Athenians. The Athenian center in the battle of Marathon (which was the weak part of their formation) received the massive onslaught of the Saka and retreated thus drive them gradually in circumvallation by the Athenian – Platean flanks hoplites. We must also consider that Persian army was rather superior in numbers. Of course this a summarized simple description of what happened in Marathon that day, it would take a huge analysis to cover all details of battle and yet wouldn’t be enough…

In addition to the strong composite bow rested in the massive “gorrytos” bow case, Saka used as offensive weapons, the short Iranian “akinaka” shord tight to their right thigh, a curved bladed sword and the wedge-shaped "sagaris" ax (that was able to penetrate every Greek helmet and every Greek metal or composite armor). Of course the “sagaris” is not easy to be used in a crowded confrontation against a Greek shield wall phalanx; you need to have an “arm distance” from opponent to deliver a blow. Therefore I assume that the “Sparabara” shielded front line infantry armed with solid spears was necessary to push back the Athenians and give the Saka the opportunity to hack with “sagaris” ax and sword the disorganized hoplites.

An ethnic feature of Saka military uniform is the leopard skin cap with a pointed end, to which some of their breeds owe their name "Saka tigrakhauda" which means "the Saka with pointed hats". There were many references in the ancient world- recorded by Herodotus - that Scythian and Saka clothing and standards were occasionally made of human skin, and that heads of high status fallen enemies were flailed and galvanized with gold or silver to become drinking cups. Scalps of killed opponents were also removed and taken as trophies during battle. The steppe lands nomadic warfare was brutal, but ancient survival attitudes and battle rituals have their own mentality and is difficult to be explained to modern urban environment audiences. Hopefully this will be done in future deviations …