The Ten Thousand Immortals were the elite force of the Persian army of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE). They formed the king's personal bodyguard and were also considered the shock troops of the infantry in Persian warfare. They are among the most famous fighting forces of the ancient world.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 550 BCE - 330 BCEThe Corps of the Ten Thousand Immortals is formed during the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia.
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522 BCE - 486 BCEThe Immortals serve under the reign of Darius I The Great of Persia.
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486 BCE - 465 BCEThe Immortals serve under the reign of Xerxes I of Persia; notably in his 480 BCE invasion of Greece.
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336 BCE - 330 BCEThe Immortals continue to serve under the reign of Darius III of Persia.
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330 BCE - 323 BCEAlexander the Great continues the tradition of the 10,000 Immortals.
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224 CE - 240 CEThe corps of Immortals are revived as a cavalry unit during the reign of Ardashir I after he founds the Sassanian Empire.
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224 CE - 651 CEThe Immortals serve as heavy cavalry of the Sassanian Empire.
