Parthian warrior

[bachmat66]

czolem,
there is this very intersting stucco image of a warrior form the Zahak castle http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Architect ... castle.htm
in Iran . I am not sure if this subject has been discussed here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zahha ... ucco_2.JPG
he appears to have a long Galatian (Celtic) or Roman infantry shield, so perhaps he is an infantryman. Perhaps a javelin, a curved knife behind his belt, A kandys/ kantus (Median Robe) over his shoulders, loose pants and boots...
His robe is hiked up and held up by the arrangement similar to this image of the Armeno-Parthian king of Media (Comagene) with Heracles himself
and different from this typical image of a Parthian http://realhistoryww.com/world_history/ ... anking.jpg or this
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16166/16 ... ate008.jpg or Mithradates on horseback http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Xong- ... relief.jpg

[Roxofarnes]

That's important piece of iconography indeed. Its relation to depictions of Antiochus VII of Commagene seem to support its date in I century BC. Going further there is a terracota from Niniveh depicting a man in Parthian dress with large oval shield but going back in time we would find a terracota from Kampyr Tepe with armored and helmeted warrior with sword and similar shield. This one comes from more less Greko-Bactria and is attributed as depiction of thyreophoroi or legionary-like type of infantry introduced in 160's BC in different Hellenistic armies. Another group of depictions which come to my mind are the "Galatian" soldiers of Bosporan Kingdom, who wear attire quite similar to Niniveh warrior. Anyway - large, oval thyreos does not seem anything very special in Western Asia (it is present on some Sasanian art-pieces) however however the warrior on the stucco from Zahak castle is depicted in exceptionally detailed manner and proves clearly that Parthians must have had relively efficient infantry.
The curved blade tucked by the belt is clearly related IMHO with weapons found in Old Nisa. The spear heads seem however rather exaggerated. I wander whether he had a helmet or pointed hat on his head...

[MeinPanzer]

This is indeed an important discovery relating to the early Parthian military; it was published earlier this year in the magazine Slingshot by Nigel Tallis, though with only a brief writeup and a poor-quality photograph.

That's important piece of iconography indeed. Its relation to depictions of Antiochus VII of Commagene seem to support its date in I century BC. Going further there is a terracota from Niniveh depicting a man in Parthian dress with large oval shield but going back in time we would find a terracota from Kampyr Tepe with armored and helmeted warrior with sword and similar shield. This one comes from more less Greko-Bactria and is attributed as depiction of thyreophoroi or legionary-like type of infantry introduced in 160's BC in different Hellenistic armies. Another group of depictions which come to my mind are the "Galatian" soldiers of Bosporan Kingdom, who wear attire quite similar to Niniveh warrior. Anyway - large, oval thyreos does not seem anything very special in Western Asia (it is present on some Sasanian art-pieces) however however the warrior on the stucco from Zahak castle is depicted in exceptionally detailed manner and proves clearly that Parthians must have had relively efficient infantry.
The curved blade tucked by the belt is clearly related IMHO with weapons found in Old Nisa. The spear heads seem however rather exaggerated. I wander whether he had a helmet or pointed hat on his head...

This type of shield, the thyreos, was probably the commonest shield in the Hellenistic world, and it was in use among just about all nationalities who fought for the Hellenistic kingdoms from about the middle of the 3rd c. BC. Figurines of Greeks, Iranians, and Celts carrying such shields have been found in the Near East at Seleucia on the Tigris, Babylon, Nineveh, Uruk, Nippur, and Susa; representations of Iranians or Babylonians equipped with thyreoi have been found on other pieces of Hellenistic art as well.

I agree entirely that this piece is very likely 1st c. BC in date based on the costume, and I think that the headgear is very likely a Hellenistic helmet like that found on the two heads of warrior sculptures from Old Nisa.

A great find, and thanks for posting the image, Dariusz!

[Roxofarnes]

I agree entirely that this piece is very likely 1st c. BC in date based on the costume, and I think that the headgear is very likely a Hellenistic helmet like that found on the two heads of warrior sculptures from Old Nisa.

My guess for reconstruction of the gear of the Nisa warriors would be muscle cuirass with pteryges which was probably the body protection of some standing clay figures from Nisa. Naturally there is no evidence that the helmeted heads and parts of nodies came from the same figures however they seem supplementory in the light of so-called Areses form Old Nisa rythons.
On the other hand the decorations of Nisa helmet cheekpieces is virtually the same as the one on the Kampyr Tepe warriors shield. It is a good point of yours.

[MeinPanzer]

On the other hand the decorations of Nisa helmet cheekpieces is virtually the same as the one on the Kampyr Tepe warriors shield. It is a good point of yours.

It's an extremely common Hellenistic symbol - the lightning bolt of Olympian Zeus. It's just a generic symbol for power, and so it is found everywhere in Hellenistic military imagery (along with the goddess Nike and the gorgon's head).

[Roxofarnes]

On the other hand the decorations of Nisa helmet cheekpieces is virtually the same as the one on the Kampyr Tepe warriors shield. It is a good point of yours.

It's an extremely common Hellenistic symbol - the lightning bolt of Olympian Zeus. It's just a generic symbol for power, and so it is found everywhere in Hellenistic military imagery (along with the goddess Nike and the gorgon's head).

True. If we don not assume that it linked Asian hellenistic infantry yhan there would be no link between head from Nisa and Zahak castle infantryman. It is better to admit that the warriors headgear is unknown...

[Astiryu1]

I notice the counter-weight on the spear shaft. Is this an example of the Persian "Apple" that I have read about?

[MeinPanzer]

True. If we don not assume that it linked Asian hellenistic infantry yhan there would be no link between head from Nisa and Zahak castle infantryman. It is better to admit that the warriors headgear is unknown...

I suspect it may be an Attic helmet because the portion that does remain looks similar to one, not necessarily because the two warriors' heads from Old Nisa were wearing them - that is just an incidental example that I brought up. Anyway, this supposition is only valid if the curve at the top of the headgear isn't a break.

[Roxofarnes]

I notice the counter-weight on the spear shaft. Is this an example of the Persian "Apple" that I have read about?

I can not see that in this depiction however decorative or symbolic counterweights at the spear butts were present in the Sasanian iconography. I like the practicality of the idea (it makes effecitve length of the spear longer without extending its true length) however it might have purely symbolic dimension in art.

[Roxofarnes]

True. If we don not assume that it linked Asian hellenistic infantry yhan there would be no link between head from Nisa and Zahak castle infantryman. It is better to admit that the warriors headgear is unknown...

I suspect it may be an Attic helmet because the portion that does remain looks similar to one, not necessarily because the two warriors' heads from Old Nisa were wearing them - that is just an incidental example that I brought up. Anyway, this supposition is only valid if the curve at the top of the headgear isn't a break.

Equally well it could be a felt hat. However this reminds me of Ammianus account stating that Persian (400 years later) infantry remided murmilliones - could that mean a helmet, shield and sword in 4th cent AD? Almost the same attire except the reconstructed spear or javelin.

[MeinPanzer]

Equally well it could be a felt hat. However this reminds me of Ammianus account stating that Persian (400 years later) infantry remided murmilliones - could that mean a helmet, shield and sword in 4th cent AD? Almost the same attire except the reconstructed spear or javelin.

It absolutely could be; the only way we can tell is if it can be discerned upon closer inspection whether the top of the headgear was broken off or not.