---
title: Ranks of Immortals
author: dynamosquito
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/85/ranks-of-immortals/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Ranks of Immortals

_Authored by dynamosquito_

## Image File

[![Ranks of Immortals](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/85.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/85.jpg)

## Image Caption

Ranks of the Louvre Museum melophores (immortal Persian guard) from the famous glazed bricks friezes found in the Apadana ([Darius the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Darius_I/)'s [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/)) in [Susa](https://www.worldhistory.org/susa/) by archeologist Marcel Dieulafoy and brought to [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/). Such polychromic friezes used to decorate the [Achaemenid](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Achaemenid/) king's palaces in their capitals of Susa, Ecbatana and [Persepolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/persepolis/). There were 10,000 royal guards, any dead being replaced straight away explaining their name of [Immortals](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/immortals/). Only Persian and Median nobles could become Immortals. They constituted sections of 1000 soldiers, armed with bows, shields, and lances, each section being commanded by officers named Chyliarchs. According to the historian Pierre Briant who opposed the generally accepted idea derived from the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) historians' reports that despite their rich and colorful uniforms, these soldiers were neither a parade army nor some guard units, but elite fighters that were engaged in most of the battlefields. Pavillon Sully at the Louvre museum, Paris, France, July 2008.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Ranks on Flickr - Photo Sharing!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamosquito/2867344264/in/set-72157604336865786/ "Ranks on Flickr - Photo Sharing!"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.

## Cite This Work

### APA
dynamosquito. (2012, April 26). Ranks of Immortals. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/85/ranks-of-immortals/>
### Chicago
dynamosquito. "Ranks of Immortals." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/85/ranks-of-immortals/>.
### MLA
dynamosquito. "Ranks of Immortals." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/85/ranks-of-immortals/>.

## License & Copyright

Original image by **dynamosquito**. Submitted by [Thamis](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/thamis/ "User Page: Thamis"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.