The Persian Immortals
WHO WERE THE PERSIAN IMMORTALS?
The Persian Immortals were an elite military unit in operation for around two centuries, almost the entire lifespan of the Achaemenid empire, which ran from 550 BC until 330 BC. Ten thousand-strong, the Immortals represented the absolute cream of the empire’s troops and operated as both the emperor’s guard and part of the standing army.
Founded by Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid empire covered a vast territory across western Asia. From his base in the southwestern corner of the Iranian plateau, Cyrus conquered several regions – including the Median and Babylonian empires, and the kingdom of Lydia. In doing so, he created what would – under the later rule of Xerxes I, who himself conquered much of northern and central Greece – become the largest empire in history in terms of population, stretching
