Osprey Elite 110 : Sassanian Elite Cavalry 224-642 AD

The Sassanians ruled the last great imperial Empire of Persia before the Arab conquests of the 7th century. Rome's only equal in the classical world, the Sassanian Empire had an enormous impact on the development of architecture, mythology, arts, music, military tactics and technology. Within the Sassanian military, the cavalry was the most influential element, and Sassanian cavalry tactics were adopted by the Romans, Arabs, and Turks. Their cavalry systems of weaponry, battle tactics, Tamgas, Medallions, court customs, and costumes influenced Romano-Byzantine and medieval European culture, and this book allows the reader to see how a little-studied eastern power affected the development of cavalry traditions in the western world. Text by Kaveh Farrokh with illustrations by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Origins of the Savaran
• Weapons of the Savaran
• Costumes, Insignia, and Coats of Arms
• Support and Auxiliary Troops
• Savaran Development, Deployment, and Tactics
• The Savaran in Battle
• Select Bibliography and Further Reading
• The Plates