Slitherine

Hi Guys,

The images of Later Achaemenid Persians that we see on various sites and in the Osprey books etc... are they based on hard evidence or is it a bit 'we don't really know, but we think it's something like this?'.

I'm about to start painting up some Later Achaemenid Persians, and have no real clue about the colours I should use.

Any ideas?

There is some hard evidence - for example the glazed brick friezes at Susa show troops and colours/patterns. They may be a little earlier - EAP but they show the colours and patterns - albeit of court troops. Persepolis also has some useful reliefs

Then there's the Alexander Mosaic from Pompeii; quite a bit later in period but depicting what the Romans thought the LAPs looked like.

Then you have pottery from Greece depicting the EAP invasion (but not in colour), various cylinder seals.

Herodotus and Xenophon gives some detail of dress (more styles than colours really)

Generally, Susa is the best source to take as it's actually built under the hand of the Persians and gives colours.

If you can find a copy, the 1992 Duncan head book published by montvert would be the best source I would say.

If you can find a copy, the 1992 Duncan head book published by montvert would be the best source I would say.


.............. The Duncan Head book is very good. I would highly recommend it also.

Mike B

Hi Ian,

The Immortal miniatures site has some good info - http://www.immortalminiatures.com/dyes.html
He also has many nicely painted figures which have some info there - http://www.immortalminiatures.com/persians.html

I also have the Duncan Head book mentioned above. It is really aimed at the later period as far as dress styles are concerned but is nonetheless an excellent reference. I have the old WRG book for the Early period but it is not so good. I will bring them next thursday when I arrive to crush your Ghurids

Cheers..........Geoff

grahambriggs wrote:Persepolis also has some useful reliefs.

Are you speaking from personal (first hand) experience!

Can't promise that these are accurate but they are quite jolly!

mbsparta wrote:If you can find a copy, the 1992 Duncan head book published by montvert would be the best source I would say.

It is very expensive and I found the illustrations dissapointing.
You can also look on the Wargames Foundry website and see their painted figures

Those looked just fine. Thansk for sharing.