Ancient army numbers

[Darth_Roach]

This bit of revisionism would warrant a thread of its own. Note that revisionism can be good if it is correct.

Maybe, but I don't think it would attract too much interest.

But remember, unless we simply cast Xenophon aside

But why should we? Xenophon was certainly not in the best position to observe what the Persians were doing, so he likely just reported what he thought he saw.

As for a simple retreat by the Persians. They did loose at least one arrow, for a Greek on the left wing was shot

That may be before or after the primary "engagement", but I am referring to this part:

And before an arrow reached them, the barbarians broke and fled. Thereupon the Greeks pursued with all their might, but shouted meanwhile to one another not to run at a headlong pace, but to keep their ranks in the pursuit.

Their chariotry did not retire well if that was the plan! It would be odd for Tissaphernes to charge through the peltasts if the plan of the persians was to give way. Far more likely is that he charged through the peltasts opposite him as part of the general advance, and then did what so many cavalry forces did- thus he went for the baggage.

Not really, considering he was in command of the infantry as well. What general advance are you speaking of? The imperial forces didn't advance at all, the rebels started off the battle.


Bear in mind I am not dissing Xenophon, I am just saying he was really in no position to accurately know what the Persians were doing. Plus a skirmishing maneuver makes a lot of sense for troops armed like this one:





@Macedon I would really look critically at any ancient numbers. There is no way Cyrus would engage a force that can outmatch his 2:1 in width, and there is no reason to assume Artaxerxes would have deployed on the left. TBH most set piece battles throughout history only occurred when the armies were of similar size. And there is no way 400 thousand troops could be amassed by Artaxerxes, even the sixth coalition at Leipzig, approaching from three separate directions and supply lines, supported by half of Europe, could only put that 390 thousand men in the field. And not nearly all of those engaged either.