HOTT Mythological Achaemenid Army Lists

I’ve created a set of Mythological Achaemenid lists for HOTT. These cover the Persians from Cyrus the Great (find his seperate Cyropaedia Army list here) up to the fall of the empire. They lean into the realm of Zoroastrianism and early Iranian mythologies. 

Mythological Persians 1 

Early Achaemenid Persians (600 - 480BCE) 

Hero General (Cyrus the Great Only) @ 4 AP X 1 

OR

Rider General (King in chariot) @ 2 AP x 1 

Riders (Persian and Scythian cavalry)  @ 2 AP x 3 

Shooters (Immortals/Sparabara) @ 2 AP X 5

Spears  (Subject hoplites)  @ 2 AP x 1

Hordes  (Conscript Masses)  @ 1 AP x 4  

HOTT Mythological Persians 2

Later Achaemenid Persians (600 - 480BCE) 

Rider General (King in chariot) @ 2 AP x 1 

Riders (Persian and Scythian cavalry)  @ 2 AP x 5 

Knights  (Armoured cavalry)  @ 2 AP x 1 

Spears  (King’s Apple-bearer Guard)  @ 2 AP x 1 

Spears  (Mercenary hoplites)  @ 2 AP x 3 

Hordes  (Kardakes / Conscript Masses)  @ 1 AP x 2 

Alternatives for both lists 

Cleric (Magi priest) @ 3 AP x 1 - May not be used with any gods (including the god Verethragna)

OR

God (Mithra or Anahita) @ 4 AP x 1 

Beast (the god Verethragna in the form of a massive boar) @ 2 AP x 1 

Flyer (Griffin or Chamrosh) @ 2 AP x 1 

Notes: 

Clerics and Gods.

For HOTT purposes, I’ve interpreted the Magi as being strict followers of Zoroaster who believe that there was only one god, Ahura Mazda. This means a Mythological Achaemenid general may have either a Cleric or a god (including the god Verethragna), but not both. 

Click on these links for more information and photos: 

Hero - Cyrus the Great

Cleric - Magi Priests

God - Anahita

Flyer - Griffin & Chamrosh

Beast - The god Verethragna

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Flights of Fancy

 Flyer (Griffin or Chamrosh) @ 2 AP x 1

This post is a companion piece to:

HOTT Mythological Achaemenid Army Lists

Griffins had a special place in Persian literature as guardians of light. Since griffins (called Shirdal by the Persians) are widely depicted in Achaemenid iconography and they’re fine looking critters, I think they belong in my HOTT army. 

Their relationship with the Persians is a little enigmatic. They’re depicted as being defeated in combat by Persian heroes, as well as standing guard over Persepolis. I interpret this as the savage griffins/Shirdal have been bested by the flower of Persian manhood and are now incorporated into the empire. 

Herodotus has them dealing very rough justice to those who would steal the gold and jewels strewn across their home on the Scythian steppe. 

Arguably, these griffins/Shirdal act in myth more like savage beasts than harassing flyers. They could fly but apparently only over short distances and in Achaemenid art, they are seen to be fighting on the ground, not flying around. 

Nonetheless, griffins/Shirdal have wings and are creatures of the plain. To see them gallivanting through forests like common beasts doesn’t ring true. So, let’s stick with flyers.

Another candidate for flyer in the Persian army is the Chamrosh, a creature with body of a dog and the head and wings of an eagle. 

According to the Avesta, Persia is protected by the chamrosh. Every three years Persia is pillaged by outsiders, and when this happens, an angel sends the Chamrosh out to protect the land by snatching up the invaders and dropping them from the mountaintops.

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Magical Magi

Cleric (Magi priest) @ 3 AP x 1 - May not be used with any gods (including the god Verethragna)

This post is a companion piece to:

HOTT Mythological Achaemenid Army Lists

Achaemenid Zoroastrianism 101

A Cleric is the obvious HOTT element for a Mythological Achaemenid army. I mean, everyone’s heard of the Magi - the three wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem.

Photo Attribution Below*

The Magi were the official priests of the Achaemenid kings. According to Herodotus, Xerxes did not make any important decisions without the advice of the Magi. 

They performed many important roles at the royal court, as well as in religious, legal, administrative and economic activities. 

And, in direct relation to HOTT, they accompanied the Persian army on campaigns with the sacred fire. 

For HOTT purposes, I’ve interpreted the Magi as being strict followers of Zoroaster who believe that there was only one god, Ahura Mazda. This means a Mythological Achaemenid general may have either a Cleric or a god (including the god Verethragna), but not both. 

All very well, but how do Magi fit in with the idea of a HOTT Cleric who defies and daunts heathen gods? Allow me to illustrate their potent priestly powers by referring to an incident from Zoroaster’s life.

A “Harmful Spirit” spotted Zoroaster as he returned to earth after visiting Ahuramazda. The demon mobilised his troops and assailed Zoroaster with a retinue of demon-invoking priests chanting sorcerous incantations. 

In response, Zoroaster recited holy verses causing a wave of Ahuramazda’s power to flood the priests, killing many on the spot. The earth started to tremble, it opened up and swallowed the demons into the Netherworld. 

Photo Attribution Below**

Ahuramazda had also given Zoroaster holy stones which he could throw causing even arch-demons to flinch.

Now, Zoroaster was clearly a special prophet, but an ordinary but devoted and holy Magi certainly might expect spiritual aid in fighting daivas (demons). 

Zoroaster

Zoroaster is a historical figure who reformed aspects of the polytheistic Iranian religion into a dualistic one where Ahuramazda became the preeminent god.

The mythology behind Zoroaster’s life story is very apt in fantasy terms. He was the son of a priest who had miraculously received the essence of an angel inside of him. At the age of thirty, Zoroaster was honoured with divine revelation and visions coming directly from god (Ahuramazda). 

However, his new theology was not popular and he suffered persecution and fled his homeland. Eventually, Zoroaster converted a local Iranian ruler named Vishtaspa after healing Vishtaspa’s horse in a miraculous way. The new faith spread gaining many followers. 

Zoroaster was assassinated at the age of 77, while he was praying in an altar, by a priest of a rival cult. He ascended into heaven in the form of a flash of light.

You can find an overview of Zoroastrianism here:

Achaemenid Zoroastrianism 101

Photo Attributions

* By Nina-no - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2176501

** I, Sailko, Dinastia tang, shanxi, straniero dal volto velato, 600-750 ca, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Beastly Business

Here's a brief explainer of the Beast option for my Mythological Persian HOTT army list.

This post is a companion piece to:

HOTT Mythological Achaemenid Army Lists

Beast - the god Verethragna in the form of a great boar @ 2 AP x 1 

Verethragna is the Persian god of victory and strength. 

Often a companion to Mithra, he usually appears in the form of a great sharp-toothed boar, that ‘kills at one stroke, pursuing, wrathful, with a dripping face, strong and swift to run, and rushing all around.’ 

For the entire army lists head here:

Mythological Persian HOTT Army Lists 

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