06-25-2012, 05:11 PM
Glad to hear you are joining the ranks! Alanus is the man to ask for Sarmatians but I will try answer the Persian side of the question. I believe they are not too different.
There are basically two styles in use in Iran. The first is the crossover Iranian riding coat, that you can see on the Prince of Shami, Khalchayan, Old Nisa, Tillya Tepe, and a number of other sources. It is not too dissimilar to what the Scythians might have worn several centuries back. The common colour appears to be a dark red, with a contrasting border, probably in white, or with some decoration (tablet woven or embroidered). The coat has long, fitting sleeves which reach below the fingers but are rolled up to expose the hands, is around hip-length, and is worn right over left. You are probably looking at a wool fabric.
The second is the regular tunic, which appears to have a round neckline, and sleeves which are again, long, fitted, and rolled up. This reaches roughly to the knee and is often decorated with one, two, or three decorated bands running down the front, and bands along the sleeves, neckline, and hem. I think that the bands are embroidered onto the tunic but they could just as easily be woven in or appliqued bands. Some tunics are shown draping finely and would be made out of a light material, but others are shown quite stiff. I would guess linen or cotton, perhaps silk if you are feeling posh. My reconstruction is made of cotton and has yellow embroidered bands (but I made a mistake with the sleeve length and it's a little too short, oops!). This type of outfit is depicted often at Hatra and the Parthian west.
On your legs, you would want to wear trousers (you can get something that does the job from Indian stores), and they will be covered with baggy chaps. The chaps are gathered at the ankle with laces and are made out of firm cotton, probably white. If you are wearing a decorated tunic instead of a coat, you would have bands on the front of the chaps as well.
Shoes are probably simple mocs and easy to make. With broad shoelaces which are wrapped around the instep.
Decoration wise - you can't go wrong with a four or six petalled flower, they are timeless designs in Iranian decoration :mrgreen:
In addition you want a belt, belts typically are leather bands with flat D-shaped fittings at each side, a leather thong passes through the D-shaped fittings and laces them together.
In addition to your bow (get a "Hunnic" / "Hungarian" bow, carry it in an unstrung gorytos hung from the rear horn of a four-horned saddle) you will need an akinakes with a four-lobed scabbard. Daggers from the Parthian east are detailed in Nikonorov's "Armies of Bactria" and some were found at Tillya Tepe (they may be Parthian or Saka), but there were a few Parthian daggers found in Iran which have much longer quillions. They are detailed in "Arms and Armour from Iran" by Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, along with a few Parthian swords.
Here is some more info: http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/clothing-iii
Also if you get the chance check out Persian Art, Parthian and Sassanian Dynasties by Roman Ghirshman.
Hope this helps!
There are basically two styles in use in Iran. The first is the crossover Iranian riding coat, that you can see on the Prince of Shami, Khalchayan, Old Nisa, Tillya Tepe, and a number of other sources. It is not too dissimilar to what the Scythians might have worn several centuries back. The common colour appears to be a dark red, with a contrasting border, probably in white, or with some decoration (tablet woven or embroidered). The coat has long, fitting sleeves which reach below the fingers but are rolled up to expose the hands, is around hip-length, and is worn right over left. You are probably looking at a wool fabric.
The second is the regular tunic, which appears to have a round neckline, and sleeves which are again, long, fitted, and rolled up. This reaches roughly to the knee and is often decorated with one, two, or three decorated bands running down the front, and bands along the sleeves, neckline, and hem. I think that the bands are embroidered onto the tunic but they could just as easily be woven in or appliqued bands. Some tunics are shown draping finely and would be made out of a light material, but others are shown quite stiff. I would guess linen or cotton, perhaps silk if you are feeling posh. My reconstruction is made of cotton and has yellow embroidered bands (but I made a mistake with the sleeve length and it's a little too short, oops!). This type of outfit is depicted often at Hatra and the Parthian west.
On your legs, you would want to wear trousers (you can get something that does the job from Indian stores), and they will be covered with baggy chaps. The chaps are gathered at the ankle with laces and are made out of firm cotton, probably white. If you are wearing a decorated tunic instead of a coat, you would have bands on the front of the chaps as well.
Shoes are probably simple mocs and easy to make. With broad shoelaces which are wrapped around the instep.
Decoration wise - you can't go wrong with a four or six petalled flower, they are timeless designs in Iranian decoration :mrgreen:
In addition you want a belt, belts typically are leather bands with flat D-shaped fittings at each side, a leather thong passes through the D-shaped fittings and laces them together.
In addition to your bow (get a "Hunnic" / "Hungarian" bow, carry it in an unstrung gorytos hung from the rear horn of a four-horned saddle) you will need an akinakes with a four-lobed scabbard. Daggers from the Parthian east are detailed in Nikonorov's "Armies of Bactria" and some were found at Tillya Tepe (they may be Parthian or Saka), but there were a few Parthian daggers found in Iran which have much longer quillions. They are detailed in "Arms and Armour from Iran" by Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, along with a few Parthian swords.
Here is some more info: http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/clothing-iii
Also if you get the chance check out Persian Art, Parthian and Sassanian Dynasties by Roman Ghirshman.
Hope this helps!
Nadeem Ahmad
Eran ud Turan - reconstructing the Iranian and Indian world between Alexander and Islam
https://www.facebook.com/eranudturan
Eran ud Turan - reconstructing the Iranian and Indian world between Alexander and Islam
https://www.facebook.com/eranudturan
