Parthian Tactics

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Well, seeing as Parthia is one of the few playable factions, and one that is relatively unknown to me, can anyone tell me about Parthian tactics, or provide some good links?

I know they were master horsemen and horsearchers.

I also read somewhere once that in a battle (and if that isn't a long qualifying statement...) that the Parthians resupplied their HAs with arrows from "ammo camels" - camels with, I guess, people with extra arrows. It was in a battle against some Romans. The Romans just stood there getting shot up, hoping the Parhians would run out of ammo. But then they got the resupply via camel. And the Romans gave up and withdrew (leaving their wounded who were later killed). Has anyone heard of something like that? (Going to have to find that little anecdote).


~:cheers:

[CBR]

yea the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC.

http://www.iranchamber.com/history/parthians/parthian_army.php

Some info there.


CBR

[Jango Fett]

thanks that was a cool read

[Steppe Merc]

The Osprey book on the Parthian and Persians is a good read, with good info on them. And ahah! That articale has a picture from that book!
Probably the Parthians and the Scythians will be able to get away with all cavalry armies, though I'd prefer to add in a spearmen and a hillmen unit or two in there.

[ShadesPanther]

http://www.totalwarcenter.com/html/rome/RTW/Parthians/punits.php
complete unit list with descriptions and pictures. Look at the Eastern Infantry, can you say pyjama party?

There are all the other playable factions as well.

http://www.totalwarcenter.com/html/rome/factions.php

[Steppe Merc]

I don't think that those are all the units, and the Generals Cavalry is very dodgy... a light javelin throwing General? ~:confused:
Oh, and they shouldn't have onagers. Steppe peoples (I'm including the Parthians in this), tended not to be good at seiges. At all.

[Psyco]

Um...
"General's Cavalry

This general has a bodyguard of loyal and heavily armoured cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with lances, these men are superb shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating and almost unstoppable charge; they are then equipped with maces so that they can fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat. Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance. "

[Steppe Merc]

I meant the picture.