THE NEO-ASSYRIAN EMPIRE 700BC - 609BC
Background: During this final period the Assyrian Empire reached it's height and then fell into decay within the space of a century. It saw some of the most famous kings develop, re-organise and reform an already fearsome army into a refined state machine of conquest, unfortunately when faced with multiple threats this thoroughbred could not stand the pace.This seems to be a them throught history dosent it....
Sargon II and Sennacherib: 700BC to 681BC - Tiglath-Pileser III had reformed the army around the mid-8th Century BC from the usual eastern army which campaigned by season and relied upon mariyannu chariotry as its backbone into a professional force ready for action at any time. It also saw an increase in the use of cavalry, which improved in quality over this period. The core of the army were the regular guard and provincial regiments supported by tribal contingents from conquered peoples.
Guards: Chariots were now pulled by four horses and the a crew of four, both men and horses were well armoured with each chariot having two shield-bearers who would protect the driver and archer until the combat began. Cavalry were equipped initially with a 10' lance wielded overarm and rode unarmoured horses; later horse armour and bows were added. Foot guard regiments would be armoured and carry short spear and sword. During this period it would appear they were capable of fighting in the open as a spear-line while also undertaking missions in more broken terrain with equal skill. -note however, that the Chariotry was often equipped with a lance bearer, as well as the archer- the over all effect is not unlike the Hittite chariot in the upcoming civ x-pac
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Standing Army Regiments: The kisir sharruti (Elite Assyrians and conquered peoples who had proved their worth) made up a large part of the army. They could be mixed formations of 2/3 spearmen to 1/3 archers or equal numbers. They did not always act together. The spearmen were excellent in rough terrain but were by no means helpless in the open especially when their archers shot in support from behind. Elite units may be distinguished by using armoured spearmen and archers. Cavalry would have appeared very much as the guard regiments but without bows and only having armour for riders at the end of the period.
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Provincial Troops: The infantry of the battle array could be the largest single contingent in an army of this period, they were not drilled but were well equipped and motivated. They were similar in action to the kisir sharruti but differed in that their regiments could vary from all spear to all archers depending on the area they came from.
Tribal Levies: These would form a skirmishing line and would be armed in the main with bows or slings with a few javelinmen. There could be considerable numbers of these present.
The Unusual and Miscellaneous: All the above are the main components of the army but there are some colourful and interesting troop-types which you may wish to include.
-Arabs: These were vassals of the Assyrians and provided small contingents of camel riders, they would act as scouts or, occasionally, form up in the battle line with the cavalry
-Assyrian scouts: These were occasionally present and would be unarmoured men very like the sab sharri archers in appearance. They would be few in number.
-Kallapani: Battle carts that transported troops around the battlefield. The exact role is not yet understood but it is possible that elite regiments of the kisir sharruti used them.
-Dikut Mati: These were the emergency levy of the nation, only used in times of extreme need. They would be badly equipped (possibly few shields and helmets) and armed with spears plus a few (ineffective) slings. Their numbers could be great but their military value minimal.
-The Elamaya regiment :This was formed around 720BC from Elamite archers. While it was no larger or better than other units of the kisir sharruti it was the only one that relied upon it archery not spears or skirmishing for battlefield effect.
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Army Organisation: The Assyrians formed their armies into all-arms corps, each could then function as a mini-army in it's own right if needs be. When corps came together for a set-piece pitched battle the chariotry and cavalry may have been concentrated on the wings while infantry held the centre. There would be strong reserve possibly of guard regiments under the commander and a small vanguard in front to trigger ambushes and scout.
Background: During this final period the Assyrian Empire reached it's height and then fell into decay within the space of a century. It saw some of the most famous kings develop, re-organise and reform an already fearsome army into a refined state machine of conquest, unfortunately when faced with multiple threats this thoroughbred could not stand the pace.This seems to be a them throught history dosent it....
Sargon II and Sennacherib: 700BC to 681BC - Tiglath-Pileser III had reformed the army around the mid-8th Century BC from the usual eastern army which campaigned by season and relied upon mariyannu chariotry as its backbone into a professional force ready for action at any time. It also saw an increase in the use of cavalry, which improved in quality over this period. The core of the army were the regular guard and provincial regiments supported by tribal contingents from conquered peoples.
Guards: Chariots were now pulled by four horses and the a crew of four, both men and horses were well armoured with each chariot having two shield-bearers who would protect the driver and archer until the combat began. Cavalry were equipped initially with a 10' lance wielded overarm and rode unarmoured horses; later horse armour and bows were added. Foot guard regiments would be armoured and carry short spear and sword. During this period it would appear they were capable of fighting in the open as a spear-line while also undertaking missions in more broken terrain with equal skill. -note however, that the Chariotry was often equipped with a lance bearer, as well as the archer- the over all effect is not unlike the Hittite chariot in the upcoming civ x-pac
-
Standing Army Regiments: The kisir sharruti (Elite Assyrians and conquered peoples who had proved their worth) made up a large part of the army. They could be mixed formations of 2/3 spearmen to 1/3 archers or equal numbers. They did not always act together. The spearmen were excellent in rough terrain but were by no means helpless in the open especially when their archers shot in support from behind. Elite units may be distinguished by using armoured spearmen and archers. Cavalry would have appeared very much as the guard regiments but without bows and only having armour for riders at the end of the period.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provincial Troops: The infantry of the battle array could be the largest single contingent in an army of this period, they were not drilled but were well equipped and motivated. They were similar in action to the kisir sharruti but differed in that their regiments could vary from all spear to all archers depending on the area they came from.
Tribal Levies: These would form a skirmishing line and would be armed in the main with bows or slings with a few javelinmen. There could be considerable numbers of these present.
The Unusual and Miscellaneous: All the above are the main components of the army but there are some colourful and interesting troop-types which you may wish to include.
-Arabs: These were vassals of the Assyrians and provided small contingents of camel riders, they would act as scouts or, occasionally, form up in the battle line with the cavalry
-Assyrian scouts: These were occasionally present and would be unarmoured men very like the sab sharri archers in appearance. They would be few in number.
-Kallapani: Battle carts that transported troops around the battlefield. The exact role is not yet understood but it is possible that elite regiments of the kisir sharruti used them.
-Dikut Mati: These were the emergency levy of the nation, only used in times of extreme need. They would be badly equipped (possibly few shields and helmets) and armed with spears plus a few (ineffective) slings. Their numbers could be great but their military value minimal.
-The Elamaya regiment :This was formed around 720BC from Elamite archers. While it was no larger or better than other units of the kisir sharruti it was the only one that relied upon it archery not spears or skirmishing for battlefield effect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Organisation: The Assyrians formed their armies into all-arms corps, each could then function as a mini-army in it's own right if needs be. When corps came together for a set-piece pitched battle the chariotry and cavalry may have been concentrated on the wings while infantry held the centre. There would be strong reserve possibly of guard regiments under the commander and a small vanguard in front to trigger ambushes and scout.
) 
. At one time or another they were allied with Saitic Egyptians, Elamites, Arabs, Medes and Scythians. 
, XIII, go ahead and tac this one up as my latest article 
