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AP-34LN - Persian Kardake Infantry (8 pcs)
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The Kardake Infantry were professional foot soldiers employed by the later armies of the Wars of Alexander the Great, particularly during the reign of Darius III. Created as part of Persian efforts to strengthen native infantry forces against increasingly effective Greek and Macedonian armies, the Kardakes represented an attempt to blend traditional Persian warfare with elements of Greek military organization.
Unlike earlier Persian levies, the Kardakes were trained as disciplined close-order infantry capable of standing in prolonged combat against heavily armed opponents. Ancient sources suggest they may have been equipped and drilled in a style influenced by Greek hoplites or mercenary infantry, reflecting Persia’s recognition that traditional lightly armed troops struggled against dense spear formations.
A typical Kardake warrior carried a spear and sword, along with a wicker or wooden shield suited for formation fighting. Armour varied according to wealth and royal supply, but many likely wore scale armour, quilted tunics, or reinforced linen protection common within Persian armies. Their appearance combined Persian military dress — including soft caps, patterned tunics, and trousers — with more heavily armed battlefield equipment inspired by western military traditions.
On campaign, Kardake units served as reliable line infantry intended to support Persian cavalry and hold the center of major battle formations. Persian warfare traditionally emphasized cavalry maneuver and missile troops, but the rise of Macedonian phalanx tactics forced the empire to field infantry capable of resisting disciplined spear assaults in direct combat.
The Kardakes are most strongly associated with the campaigns leading to the Battle of Issus and the Battle of Gaugamela. At these battles, Persian commanders deployed large infantry formations alongside cavalry contingents in an effort to halt the advance of Alexander the Great.
Despite their reforms, the Kardakes were ultimately unable to overcome the battlefield coordination, discipline, and tactical flexibility of the Macedonian army. Nevertheless, they reflected the Persian Empire’s serious attempts to modernize its military system during its final years and demonstrated the evolving nature of warfare in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Brand: John Jenkins
