Your favourite Persian general
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: General History
Forum Name: Military History
Forum Discription: Discussions related to military history: generals, battles, campaigns, etc.
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37742
Printed Date: 20-Apr-2024 at 01:49
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Topic: Your favourite Persian general
Posted By: PoitierFrance
Subject: Your favourite Persian general
Date Posted: 27-Sep-2018 at 16:37
So who is your favourite Persian general and why?
The time frame is pre-islamic Iran.
Below I will list some of my favourite generals and commanders and why.
Mardonius- The artitecht behind the Persian invasion of Greece. Seems odd perhaps to some to name a general that ultimately failed. However, in judging a commander, all things must be taken in consideration. To begin with, his personality. It is clear that Mardonius, a man of the high Persian nobility, possesed a great persona. In today’s world it’s people like him who are the CEO’s of great companies, etc. In the ancient sources he is potrayed as ambitious, energetic, forceful, admired by the other Persian commanders, and clearly capable by his force of person to maintain cohesion of such a large army in Greece, still posing a formidable threat even after the Persian defeat at Salamis. In analysing the battle of Plataea, He many times dominated the field, skillfully utilizing the more mobile aspects of his troops to conduct operations against the greeks. That he lost the battle of Plataea must in the end, as Herodotus himself state, be attributen to a large part the lack of heavy armour. Even as the persians were lacking heavy armour, Mardonius was in the midst of the persians fighting in hand to hand combat, against the spartans, proving himself and his persians as formidable opponents before finally dying a heroes death.
Artabanuz- The uncle of Xerxes, while not much is known, he seems to be the more wise one, ss far fighting the greeks is concerned. He is the only one that seems to understand the great advantage the greeks had in pitched battles Because of their heavy armour, hence his advice to Mardonius to force the greeks to conduct a siege war, in which they would have to fight a formidable persians army with proper resources to sustain them behind the large walls of Thessaly. Also the one who realising the futility of facing the greek hoplite in open combat, saves more than 40 000 persians, for which he was rewarded by his nephew, Xerxes.
Masistios- A cavalry officer, later promoted to overall commander of the Persian cavalry, due to his actions during the campaign in Greece. Not surpirsing then that he was held in high regard by all other persians, even beloved by his cavalry troops. He was a very tall man with fine physique, something the greeks noted with admiration. He died duringg battle of Plataea, but not before he gave the greeks a hard time. Fought to death when he fell from his horse. Even Mardonius mourned his death greatly. He was amongst the commanders who used to eat at Mardonius table.
I have more in mind, But for now this will suffice. I will add more later on. Please feel free to mention your favourite Persian general.
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