Immortals : Guards of Emperors

"Immortals" was the name given by famous Greek historian Herodotus. They were the bodyguards of Persian emperors of Achaemenid Empire (550 to 330 BC). They were the best of Persian army and picked up on the basis of their service record. Their number was always 10000. If anyone died or retired other person filled up the gap to make it 10000 again. These men were feared by the enemies for their fighting ability and served the empire until its destruction by Alexander the great of Macedon.

Origin : The immortals were formed during the time Persian empire started expanding and became a true empire in Asia. As the territories expanded so did the prestige of the emperor. So, to show his subjects and vassal kingdoms the might of the empire they were formed as an elite group of soldiers. They had dual roles as bodyguards of emperor and also a standing army under his command. After the fall of the empire they faded away in history.

Persian Immortals

Weapons & Armors : The sources we have are all Greek historians who wrote about Persian empire. The descriptions varied person to person. Generally they used shields, short spears, bows and short swords or daggers as their weapons. They were bronze breastplate and scale armor. For headdress they use Persian tiara (Some said cloth or felt cap). Some sources said their horses were also covered in armor for protection of the beast and the legs of the riders. 

Immortals

Uniforms : The uniforms of immortals varied sources to sources. Most common of them were the colorful robes with gold jewelries. But those might be for ceremonial purpose. Their battle uniforms were different. 

Came to Fame : The immortals were used greatly during the war against the Egyptians and Northern Indian Kingdoms but they were famous for their contribution during the Persian invasions of Greece in 5th century BC. They were the elite of the occupying forces and used in critical moments to turn the tide in favor of the Persians. Their greatest failure was in Thermopylae (480 BC) against the Spartan army under Leonidas. They failed to clear the pass and defeat the Spartans. Treachery on the Greek side saved the day. They remained in Greece until the end of Persian occupation.

Immortal against Greek Hoplite 

Legacy : The immortals influenced many later civilizations to keep a standing army of veterans. That word "Immortals" used by many other empires and civilizations like Sassanids (Another Persian empire of later stage), Byzantines, even the Imperial guards of Napoleon were called immortals sometimes. They were the first demonstration of usage and necessity of well equipped standing army.