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04-27-2004, 07:57 PM

Hello again. I hope your all well. I just returned from my trip to Iran. Well, let me jump and say that I was not able to find the Roman evidence that I was looking for to answer your questions. All of the carvings of Shapur and Philip that I saw show them wearing what seems to be more Persian Garb than Roman Garb. It looked as if they were wearing pants, a tunic, both made of extremely light material, perhaps silk. Which is very Persian as opposed to Roman. Also, they were wearing short cloaks. As for their shoes, I could not tell at all. Valerian looked to be wearing flat soled shoes that were closed like the calceus as opposed to the caligae and some kind of a leg wrap or gaitors. All others I was not able to tell, they were pretty worn down or just not detailed as if it was not at all important to carve out. 
 
As for the parthian evidence. I stood right next to the famous parthian statue of Shami. Wow, what an out fit he was wearing. Also, I took amazing photos of a Parthian boot. Unbelievable craftsmanship. This boot looked supple by our standards today. The Nobles leg was still in it. Also, took photos of some pretty amazing maces, axes, arrow heads, spear heads, etc. Some pretty cool stuff. But I was not able to do more. 
 
My trip was mostly focused on polo. I was coaching the military team and the national teams. Its seems that they are turning the polo square in Isfahan back into a polo field. It is the oldest polo field in the world and its marble goal posts are still there. Well, it looks like they are going to take the park out and turn it back into a polo field, and I was invited to play in it in the National tourmanent. So I am eagerly waiting to hear news of that development. 
 
And for the horse enthusiasts. I happen to come across the breed of horse that Shapur and the Sassanian kings and heavy cavalry used. Unbelievabley magnificent. Unbelievable. I will post pics of this animal. Now one can understand why the Romans wrote of their fear of the Persian Heavy Cavalry and the power of their horses. When you compare a 10 to 14 hand Roman cavalry horse to this 15.3 hand heavy horse, and the Persian Heavy Cataphract armor, you can understand. Tears ran my face when I saw this animal still alive in Iran. A gallant magnificence that was truly exuding his power. 
 
On another note, why is Dan not Posting or allowed not to post. That is ridiculous. First and foremost. I came from the Islamic Republic of Iran just two days ago. Let me just say, that if you do not understand and/or respect the freedom to speak in this country, then please take a trip abroad to gain full appreciation of this right that we have fought for and earned. Then we can revisit the right to sensor and/or ban someone. 
 
Whatever may have been said, might be chosen to be deleted from this message board, but I whole heartedly disagree with banning people, especially someone like Dan. Right or wrong, judging such a character, who has done so much for all of us, so harshly in my opinion is a wrong in itself. Lets revisit this. I for one, think that not only should he be allowed to post again, but we should all take the time to express a sincere debt of gratitude to him. 
 
Who cares if they had a few words at each other. Just tell them to take it off the message board into the private forumn of emails. 
 
May Ahura Mazda and Mithra watch over all of you, except when you face the Sassanians. 
 
Ardeshir

05-02-2004, 12:41 PM

Welcome back Ardeshir, and I was right about those battle chargers of the Nasq-I-Rustam reliefs!! 
We're awaiting your pictures impatiently. 
Great news about the polo field! 
Why do they always show football on TV? Or golf? I mean for hours on end you see those guys hitting that little ball trying to drop it into a hole half a mile away. Wouldn't polo be more exciting to watch? 
About Dan's exile, and Hibernicus too: well, it was really a nasty dispute and it was quickly turning into a full scale flame war. It had to be stopped one way or another. Without common courtesy, freedom of speech just won't work. 
Dura Lex, Sed Lex... Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=antoninuslucretius@romanarmytalk>Antoninus Lucretius</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://lucretius.homestead.com/files/Cesar_triste.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 5/2/04 3:02 pm

aitor iriarte · 05-03-2004, 05:07 AM

Hello Ardeshir, 
I 
t is understandable that your ancestors were more interested on detailing the king of kings' attire rather that those of the defeated Romans. In any case, your photos will be warmly welcomed! 
The saddle affair should be further experimented. What kind of saddle would need a cataphract to remain safely on it while charging with a couched contus and without stirups? 
 
Aitor

05-03-2004, 05:54 PM

Hello Guys, 
 
Well, polo is a very interesting sport. Whether or not its marketable on TV here in the US or not, I dont know, but we had 5 million viewers in Iran. So, I agree, I think it would be fantastic to see it on TV. 
 
As for the Sassanian horses. Well, it was amazing to see one in Persian. The heavy Yamut Turcoman horse. Wow, I have to tell you, anyone who knows anything about horses would have been truly amazed to see this horse. Not so much because its a Secretariat or any kind of sport horse that we are used to today, but to see that horse and to know what it was bred for and to know its history, made me stand in respect and honor before that animal. 
 
As for the Saddle, well, quite interesting. The Four horn Saddle in Iran, I believe was in two forms. The four and the two horn. Some of the carvings, clearly depict two of the horns and in detail. But they completely lack the rear horns. 
 
Proper riding doesnt need much in the rear area, but in the front, along the thighs and pommel, add great amount of leverage. So it makes very very very logical sense to have the two horn saddle for day to day riding or for even light cavalry work. Also, vaulting up onto the horse is a much easier job. 
 
Now for the heavy cataphracts, Im sure they used the four horned saddle, or a saddle very similiar to the mclelland saddle which was also in use. both of those saddles have a support in the rear. The mclelland saddle in the form of a round seat and the four horn in the form of the two horns on either side. Those would be more the type for the heavy and fully armored horse and rider style cataphracts. But also remember mounting and dismounting of these saddles without stirrups is a much harder affair. Most often by the aid of grooms and mounting blocks. Most Persian cavalry of heavy and medium armor and aristocrats had two grooms. Its pretty well noted that in general the Persian cavalry retained two grooms per rider. 
 
The saddle I brought back is a very very very simple saddle semi replicating the mclelland type of saddle. Very light, very low profile and more than adequate to use for re-enactment of such saddles as those used by heavy and medium cataphracts. Or any such riders. Ill take a photo of it and post it as soon as possible. These were the saddles that by the end of the Sassanian era began having stirrups added to them. Which greatly increased not only rider balance and power in the saddle, but also the power and blow delivered by a charging lancer and manuverability of horse archers. 
 
Anyway, good to see everyone, and if Im not mistaken, good to see Dan Posting again. By the way, what is the news on the Deepeeka saddles, if any? 
 
Ardeshir

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