The Sparabara, meaning “shield bearers” in Old Persian, were the front-line soldiers of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. They were typically the first to face the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. While details about them are scarce today, it is believed that they were a vital part of the Persian army. They created a shield wall and used 2-meter spears to defend more vulnerable units, such as archers, from enemy forces. The term also refers to the combination of these shield bearers and the archers they protected.

While specific mentions of sparabara may not be as abundant as those of other units, there are references in ancient texts that provide insight into their presence and role in battles.

Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, provides some details about the Persian military and their tactics, but he doesn’t give an extensive account specifically dedicated to the sparabara. However, he does describe the Persian army’s composition and their equipment in his work “Histories” ( Ἱστορίαι).

Herodotus discusses the Persian forces assembled by King Xerxes for his invasion of Greece.¹ He mentions that the Persian infantry carried wicker shields and were equipped with short spears, large bows, and daggers. This description aligns with what is believed about the sparabara, who were known for forming shield walls with their large shields and using long spears. He also emphasizes the diversity of the Persian army, composed of various ethnic groups from across the vast empire, each with their distinct weapons and fighting styles. This diverse composition would have included the sparabara as part of the core infantry, forming protective barriers for the archers and other more vulnerable troops.

In addition to, Xenophon, the Athenian-born soldier, historian, and student of Socrates provides a detailed account of Persian military organization and tactics. Although he does not explicitly use the term “sparabara,” his descriptions of the Persian army’s infantry give us insight into their likely characteristics and roles.

In Xenophon’s “Cyropaedia” (Κύρου Παιδεία-The Education of Cyrus) he describes how the infantry were trained to use their shields and spears effectively in battle, which aligns with the known role of the sparabara as frontline soldiers using large shields and spears.² Xenophon also provides a more detailed look at the battle formations and tactics used by the Persian army and explains how the infantry were positioned and how they fought in coordination with other units, such as archers and cavalry.³

Additionally, the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, in his Bibliotheca historica (Βιβλιοθήκη Ἱστορική), offers insights into Persian military tactics. He describes the Battle of Plataea (479 BC), where the Persian infantry played a significant role and mentions the Persian soldiers carrying large wicker shields and being equipped with short spears, similar to the descriptions found in Herodotus’ accounts.⁴ This aligns with the known role of the sparabara, who used their shields to protect more vulnerable troops and formed the backbone of the Persian infantry. Also, in his account of Alexander the Great’s battles against the Persian Empire, Diodorus notes that the Persian soldiers used a combination of shields, spears, and bows, providing a comprehensive view of their tactical approach in battle.⁵

1. Book 7 (Polymnia), ch. 61-100. ↩︎
2. Book 2, ch. 1 ↩︎
3. Book 6, ch. 6. ↩︎
4. Book 11, ch. 29. ↩︎
5. Book 17, ch. 30-34. ↩︎