Ancient World FORUM
Questions concerning Professor Farrokh's 'Sassanian Elite Cavalry'
Ardashir51
First of all, let me say that I vastly enjoy the book. I've long been fascinated with pre-Islamic Persia and the nearby lands and peoples, and I think I may well enjoy this book even more than his book covering the wars of ancient Persia.
However... in the color plates we are shown several examples of female savaran, or armored cavalry (specifically in plates A and C). I'm curious as to what evidence exists for women actually fighting as warriors in the old Sassanid army, simply because up until now everything I've ever read about the Sassanids stated that they were a rather patriarchal and even sexist culture, which makes the existence of female warriors sound odd.
I wouldn't deny that some women fought, maybe in disguise -- that seems to have happened in every culture -- or that a few exceptional women served as warriors even though most of their sisters didn't. What I'm hoping for is some links or book references that can point out just how many Iranian noblewomen did this, and how often it happened, and how did the men regard it?
To anyone who answers. thank you for your time.
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RESPONSES
| Draconifer |
1
Alot of the sources are lost or not properly translated regrettably.
The Book of Kings should furnish some mythologised accounts.
Ultimately cultural traditions are not static.
Though a high prestiged position being a warrior against
vast field armies wasn't a pampered lifestyle. Indirect misogyny?
The fact that Xerxes consulted Artemisia hints at a recognition of intellect
if not complete feminism.
Persian is a Hellenist Greek derived word (as is Saracen). They would have been self-identified with dynasty. What is socially acceptable depended upon the dynasty and ruler. It was to his discretion. The Zoroastrian Avseta does not explicity forbid that practice. Generalising a Pre-Islamic "Persian culture" as entirely patriarchal is not especially accurate. Patriarchal is a relative term. Compared to the Romans
they were not.
Women warriors were common amongst Iranian Sarmatian and Alan peoples as well as Scythians and Celts of course.
There are references to women of the nobility and immediate
family of the Emperor who would have been trained in equestrian
and swordsmanship. Their numbers would not been as precise
as the Immortals.
As far as what the men thought. If it's alright with the Sassanid Emperor
who going to argue with him?
Posted: 25-May-2009 22:16
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| Draconifer |
2
The obvious answer of course is to consult the
select bibliography in the book.
Posted: 27-May-2009 04:21
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