User blog:Deathblade 100/Empire Builders or Destroyers? Praetorian Guard vs Persian Immortals

This battle is between two of the ancient world's deadliest bodyguards;

The Praetorian Guard- Rome's unstoppable legionnaires, that defended the Emperor at all costs.

VS

The Persian Immortals- The precision killer in a massaive war machine, who forged the largest empire the middle east has ever seen.

WHO...IS...DEADLIEST?

To find out the history of war and modern science collide, as we test the weapons and tactics these deadly ancient warriors brought to the battlefield. We take notes on the weapons and armour they used and dissect the strength and weaknesses for a final battle to the death.

Praetorian Guard info
"The Roman praetors were first established in 367 B.C. They evolved into the Praetorian Guard that came to exercise great power, making and unmaking emperors and allowing political and military action outside of the law."

- John Stockwell

The Praetorian Guards were an elite branch of the Roman military dedicated to protecting important Roman figures, especially the emperor. Originally, the Praetorians were the bodyguards of Roman generals during the 2nd century BC (known as praetors). However, by 27 BC, the emperor Augustus created a permanent corps composed of nine cohorts led by two prefects (this was later changed to one). The Praetorian Guard saw especially heavy combat duty against rebellious Germanic tribes during the mid-late 1st century AD, participating in the battle of Bedriacum and in wars in Macedonia and Dacia.

Military roles aside, the Praetorians also played a significant role in the politics of the Roman Empire, being responsible for the accession of Claudius, the murders of Elagabalus and Pertinax, and the lynching of Domitian’s murderers - they made or broke emperors at the height of their power. The Praetorian Guard Corps were disbanded in 312 AD by Constantine the First.

Praetorian Guard weapons
The Praetorian Guard bring destroy the enemy with:

Long Range: Scorpion

Mid Range: Pilum

Close Range: Gladius

Special: Dolabra axe and Pugio dagger

Armour: Lorica Segmentata

Persian Immortal info
"The Persian Immortals were the special forces of the ancient world. They were trained from the age of five to do nothing but kill and destroy other soldiers."

- Ardeshir Radpour

The Persian Immortals was an elite force of warriors who were designated as the empire's guard-force and standing army. The term "immortal" was given to these warriors by Greek historian Herodotus. The group was composed of 10,000 soldiers. Any Immortal that was inflicted with sickness, injury, or was killed would be replaced immediately. The warriors helped spearhead the Persian conquest and expand the Empire's borders. They were armed with the typical weaponry of an Achaemenid soldier: spears, daggers, swords, bow and arrow, or clubs. Their armor was made up of bronze-iron scales and the Immortals were issued with a wicker shield. The fighting force died out after the collapse Achaemenid Empire.

Persian Immortal weapons
The Persian Immortals bring the bloodshed with:

Long Range: Composite Bow

Mid Range: Persian Spear w/ iron counterweight

Close Range: Acinaces

Special: Sagaris axe and Chariot Scythe

Armour: Bronze and iron scale armour