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The Savārān (in Persian:ق أ ت أصأن) were Persian military units and were a division of cavalry during the time of the Sassanid Persian dynasty, they ranged from light cavalry such as horse archers to heavy cavalry such as Cataphracts.Each Savārān unit would have had its own Drafsh (banner).Membership in such units and other important posts was generally reserved for individuals of Aryan ancestry.

Elite Savārān

Parts of the Savārān division were high ranking including the Pushtigban Body Guards a super heavy shock cavalry these were the royal guards of the Shah himself. The influential Savārān cavalry were mostly made up of heavily armoured cavalry. Generally of which the cavalry were aristocracy or even from the imperial family themselves. Their were also commander of which were Elite as well. These parts of the Savārān regiments were kept as reserves.

Weapons of Savārān

The Savārān during their early period had much in common with their Parthian predecessors most of which would have possible worn metal plate armour with chain mail. Their Spangenhelm approximating helmets would have adapted through out the ages of the Sassanid Persian.Also the horse would have possibly been armoured with light leather coats or thin mail and plate armour some Savārān units such as mercenaries (kushans,Indians,Huns) may perhaps not have wore armour at all, allowing them to be rather nimble and swift.

Spangenhelm

The Spangenhelm helmets were worn by means of the Savārān units in battle,they would have been adapted though out the centries.During the 3 century-6 century, era of the Sassanian empire the Spangenhelm would have probably been made of felt and hardened leather. However by the late sixed to late 6 century-early 7 century they would have been decorated with flowers and purple ball with chain mail and small area's in which to breath in addition to seeing through.

Drafsh

Each Savārān unit would have a Drafsh these would have often included mythological creatures and animals.These animals would have included:Pil(Elephants),asp(Horse),xirs(Bears),Shaigr(Lions),Ahug(Deers) these would also include Zoroastrian mythological creatures such as Bashkuch and the army of Savārān would have the Derafsh Kaviani as their banner.

References

• Kaveh Farrokh, Sassanian Elite Cavalry, AD 224-642 (Osprey Publishing 2005)
• David Nicolle, Sassanian Armies : the Iranian empire early 3rd to mid-7th centuries AD (Montvert Publishing 1996). ISBN 1-874101-08-6
• Kaveh Farrokh Shadows in the Desert
• Jane Penrose Rome and Her Enemies

External links

• http://books.google.com/books?id=aQspOf291_cC&pg=PA3&dq=sassanid+elite+cavalry+Sav%C4%81r%C4%81n
• http://www.iranchamber.com/history/sassanids/sassanian_army.php
• http://books.google.com/books?q=Sav%C4%81r%C4%81n