Persians (666)

Faction Overview	Strategic Overview	History
{For the Alexander faction, see Achaemenids .}
The Persians have the power of Ceremony.
In the wake of the Arab invasion of their homeland, most of Iran — ranging from the banks of the Tigris to the plains east of the Elburz mountains — fell under the control of the Muslim invader, yet even as a part of the new Islamic empire, the Persians still loom large — so great are the material and cultural achievements of their forefathers that even the very prospect of a taste of Jannah cannot fully erase their ancestral memories for good. On the other hand, Persian savoir faire and Persian manners have begun to dominate the cultural landscape of the brave new world of Islam that straddles the whole Middle East. And with the increased decadence and political conflict that simmers at the heart of the caliphate in Damascus, perhaps very soon, a new Persian empire may well regain control of the entire Middle East once more.
In the meantime, however, only a few outposts, scattered around the southern shores of the Caspian still hold out against the Muslims, but just how strong their tenure on independence is will depend on how quickly they can come to unite.
And if they do manage to liberate Iran from the Arab barbarians, then there is a world of hurt to deal with. The Romans , old enemies of Iran, have managed to weather the Muslim storm, while savage tribes, inspired by Ahriman roam the face of the earth, raiding and killing as they go. Rumour too has risen that a great new empire far beyond the lands of Turan has awoken, and is following in the wake of the chaos and disorder the nomads sow as they march from sunrise to sunset...	
In the wake of the Arab invasion of their homeland, most of Iran — ranging from the banks of the Tigris to the plains east of the Elburz mountains — fell under the control of the Muslim invader, yet even as a part of the new Islamic empire, the Persians still loom large — so great are the material and cultural achievements of their forefathers that even the very prospect of a taste of Jannah cannot fully erase their ancestral memories for good. On the other hand, Persian savoir faire and Persian manners have begun to dominate the cultural landscape of the brave new world of Islam that straddles the whole Middle East. And with the increased decadence and political conflict that simmers at the heart of the caliphate in Damascus, perhaps very soon, a new Persian empire may well regain control of the entire Middle East once more.
In the meantime, however, only a few outposts, scattered around the southern shores of the Caspian still hold out against the Muslims, but just how strong their tenure on independence is will depend on how quickly they can come to unite.
And if they do manage to liberate Iran from the Arab barbarians, then there is a world of hurt to deal with. The Romans , old enemies of Iran, have managed to weather the Muslim storm, while savage tribes, inspired by Ahriman roam the face of the earth, raiding and killing as they go. Rumour too has risen that a great new empire far beyond the lands of Turan has awoken, and is following in the wake of the chaos and disorder the nomads sow as they march from sunrise to sunset...	
In the wake of the Arab invasion of their homeland, most of Iran — ranging from the banks of the Tigris to the plains east of the Elburz mountains — fell under the control of the Muslim invader, yet even as a part of the new Islamic empire, the Persians still loom large — so great are the material and cultural achievements of their forefathers that even the very prospect of a taste of Jannah cannot fully erase their ancestral memories for good. On the other hand, Persian savoir faire and Persian manners have begun to dominate the cultural landscape of the brave new world of Islam that straddles the whole Middle East. And with the increased decadence and political conflict that simmers at the heart of the caliphate in Damascus, perhaps very soon, a new Persian empire may well regain control of the entire Middle East once more.
In the meantime, however, only a few outposts, scattered around the southern shores of the Caspian still hold out against the Muslims, but just how strong their tenure on independence is will depend on how quickly they can come to unite.
And if they do manage to liberate Iran from the Arab barbarians, then there is a world of hurt to deal with. The Romans , old enemies of Iran, have managed to weather the Muslim storm, while savage tribes, inspired by Ahriman roam the face of the earth, raiding and killing as they go. Rumour too has risen that a great new empire far beyond the lands of Turan has awoken, and is following in the wake of the chaos and disorder the nomads sow as they march from sunrise to sunset...	
In the wake of the Arab invasion of their homeland, most of Iran — ranging from the banks of the Tigris to the plains east of the Elburz mountains — fell under the control of the Muslim invader, yet even as a part of the new Islamic empire, the Persians still loom large — so great are the material and cultural achievements of their forefathers that even the very prospect of a taste of Jannah cannot fully erase their ancestral memories for good. On the other hand, Persian savoir faire and Persian manners have begun to dominate the cultural landscape of the brave new world of Islam that straddles the whole Middle East. And with the increased decadence and political conflict that simmers at the heart of the caliphate in Damascus, perhaps very soon, a new Persian empire may well regain control of the entire Middle East once more.
In the meantime, however, only a few outposts, scattered around the southern shores of the Caspian still hold out against the Muslims, but just how strong their tenure on independence is will depend on how quickly they can come to unite.
And if they do manage to liberate Iran from the Arab barbarians, then there is a world of hurt to deal with. The Romans , old enemies of Iran, have managed to weather the Muslim storm, while savage tribes, inspired by Ahriman roam the face of the earth, raiding and killing as they go. Rumour too has risen that a great new empire far beyond the lands of Turan has awoken, and is following in the wake of the chaos and disorder the nomads sow as they march from sunrise to sunset...
Faction Type: Middle EasternNational Bonuses:
*Agrarian Traditions: +10% Food Commerce Limit
*Agricultural Focus: Can build 7 farms instead of 5 per city, farms generate +2  Wealth
*Farming Innovators: Start with a granary and receive Granary upgrades for free
*Ancestral Glory: Wonders cost 25% less, can be built an age early, and you may build two per City
Unique Units:
*Hovels: Paighan Spearmen, Paighan Bowmen
*Barracks: Arteshtar, Composite Bowmen, Axemen
*Stable: Dehqan , Javelin Cavalry, Persian Archers
* : Cataphract, Azadan
* : Dhow, Dromond
*Temple/Sanctuary: Ghuzat Volunteers 
Mercenaries:
* : Dailamiyan, Heavy Daylamiyan , Hashishin
* : 
** [Sogdians] Sogdian Levy , Sogdian Archers, Sogdian Heavy Infantry
** [Persians] Asawira Archers, Asawira Cavalry
**[Indians]  War Elephant
*Mercenary Camp:
**[Arabs] Arab Raiders, Bedouin Lancers
** [Turks]: Turkish Archer	
Faction Type: Middle EasternNational Bonuses:
*Agrarian Traditions: +10% Food Commerce Limit
*Agricultural Focus: Can build 7 farms instead of 5 per city, farms generate +2  Wealth
*Farming Innovators: Start with a granary and receive Granary upgrades for free
*Ancestral Glory: Wonders cost 25% less, can be built an age early, and you may build two per City
Unique Units:
*Hovels: Paighan Spearmen, Paighan Bowmen
*Barracks: Arteshtar, Composite Bowmen, Axemen
*Stable: Dehqan , Javelin Cavalry, Persian Archers
* : Cataphract, Azadan
* : Dhow, Dromond
*Temple/Sanctuary: Ghuzat Volunteers 
Mercenaries:
* : Dailamiyan, Heavy Daylamiyan , Hashishin
* : 
** [Sogdians] Sogdian Levy , Sogdian Archers, Sogdian Heavy Infantry
** [Persians] Asawira Archers, Asawira Cavalry
**[Indians]  War Elephant
*Mercenary Camp:
**[Arabs] Arab Raiders, Bedouin Lancers
** [Turks]: Turkish Archer	
Faction Type: Middle EasternNational Bonuses:
*Agrarian Traditions: +10% Food Commerce Limit
*Agricultural Focus: Can build 7 farms instead of 5 per city, farms generate +2  Wealth
*Farming Innovators: Start with a granary and receive Granary upgrades for free
*Ancestral Glory: Wonders cost 25% less, can be built an age early, and you may build two per City
Unique Units:
*Hovels: Paighan Spearmen, Paighan Bowmen
*Barracks: Arteshtar, Composite Bowmen, Axemen
*Stable: Dehqan , Javelin Cavalry, Persian Archers
* : Cataphract, Azadan
* : Dhow, Dromond
*Temple/Sanctuary: Ghuzat Volunteers 
Mercenaries:
* : Dailamiyan, Heavy Daylamiyan , Hashishin
* : 
** [Sogdians] Sogdian Levy , Sogdian Archers, Sogdian Heavy Infantry
** [Persians] Asawira Archers, Asawira Cavalry
**[Indians]  War Elephant
*Mercenary Camp:
**[Arabs] Arab Raiders, Bedouin Lancers
** [Turks]: Turkish Archer	
Unique buildings:
*Noble Residence
*Magistracy
*Constabulary
*Imperial City
*Munitions Ministry
*Eunuchs' Court
*Stronghold
Wonders:
*Ateshgah
*Palace
*Qubbatus Sakra
Upgrades:
{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" class="article-table" style="width: ;"
	Lvl 2		Max
	Lvl 2		Max
	Max 		Lvl 2
	Lvl 2		Lvl 1
	Max 		Lvl 2
	 		Yes
Category:Swords of the Prophets factions