There is evidence of the Persians using scythed chariots in battle, which were chariots with blades attached to the wheels to cut down infantry. Evidence suggests scythed chariots were either introduced by King Cyrus the Great in mid 6th century BCE or by the Macedonians (Nefiodkin 369).

Persian Chariot Focus

• Wide use of scythed chariots can be attributed to cultural diffusion of areas like Babylon and Assyria that Persia conquered and the several miles of trade roads that supplied resources to build these chariots.
• Since there was more sand and terrain that complicated mobility, horses were about just as fast as chariots, and so Persians preferred the more heavily armed chariots.
• The chariots were normally pulled by two horses and had swords rotating on the axles of the wheels as seen by the image to the left.

Equipment Used by Persian Cavalry

• There is archaelogical evidence of Persian vases from some time in 4th century BCE that depict Persian cavalry wearing helmets and using weapons such as cutlasses and axes (Evans 99).
• Under Cyrus the Great, Persian cavalry warriors were know to use bows, javelins, and spears as well. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute).