After grasping the grandeur of Cyrus the Great's strategies, his attention turned to one of the most legendary military units in ancient history: the Achaemenid Immortals Guard. This corps, which in original history was founded by Darius the Great, was so influential that in little Cyrus's mind, it had to emerge earlier than its appointed time, and through his measures, within the Achaemenid generals. He knew that the existence of such an elite force would be vital for the thousand-year endurance of his empire.
He recalled the size and nature of this special guard: from the time of Darius the Great, the Achaemenids had a standing army called the "Immortals" consisting of ten thousand men. This guard was called "Immortals" because if one of its members became ill, wounded, or died, someone from the reserves immediately replaced him. This system of continuous replacement ensured that the Immortal force always remained complete and ready for battle, as if it never died, and this very characteristic doubled its awe and fear in the hearts of enemies.
Little Cyrus knew that the members of this guard constituted the elite of the Achaemenid army. Not only the ten-thousand-strong Immortal Guard, but also the cavalry guard regiment was chosen from among the most skilled warriors. These individuals not only possessed high proficiency in martial arts but also held unconditional loyalty to the Shahanshah. These characteristics made them a reliable and formidable force on the battlefield that could change the fate of wars and play a vital role in great victories.
Among these ten thousand men, the first thousand-man regiment of this guard was called the "Guard Regiment". This group was more special and elite than the rest, and their spears ended in golden pomegranates, indicating their special status. They were all Persian and were considered very famous and fearsome due to their unparalleled courage and skill in battle. This regiment had the primary duty of protecting the Shahanshah, and for this reason, during battle, they were positioned directly in front of and beside the ruler, and in court, they stood closer to the king than other soldiers.
Little Cyrus pondered the specific equipment of this Guard Regiment: only this thousand-man group, whose spear butts were golden, were equipped with shields. They abstained from bows, arrows, and quivers and focused more on close combat, but they carried short Elamite daggers. This combination of equipment made them ideal for protecting the Shahanshah at close range and in the heat of battle. He also thought about the national composition of this guard; in addition to Persians and Elamites, Medes also served in the ten-thousand-strong Achaemenid Immortal Guard. This diversity indicated a policy of attracting elites from across the empire and the loyalty of these peoples to the Shahanshah.
The most painful part of these reflections revolved around the last stand and dissolution of this legendary army. The Immortals made their last stand against the army of Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. The Battle of Gaugamela marked the end of the Achaemenid Empire, and the Iranian army, including the brave men of the Immortal Guard, despite all their courage and sacrifice, were defeated, and with the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire, the Immortal Guard was also dissolved. Little Cyrus remembered how the Greeks were very pleased by this dissolution , as they had always feared the might and power of this army.
Little Cyrus suffered from the prevalent myths and misconceptions about the Immortals. He remembered how the reputation of the Achaemenid Immortals in popular culture, especially under the influence of Hollywood films and novels, had been completely distorted with false and unrealistic portrayals. These films depicted the Immortals as unnatural, savage, silent, and masked beings, resembling demonic forces more than Iranian soldiers. These portrayals are not only miles away from historical realities but also an explicit insult to the true status of these great and unparalleled warriors of the Achaemenid army.
He vowed that in his thousand-year empire, he would not only form the Immortal army earlier than its appointed time, meaning during his own reign and not Darius's, but also ensure that the legacy and honor of these soldiers were properly recorded in history. This legendary army, which was destined to sweep through Egypt and Greece and reach the pinnacle of fame, would be a symbol of Parsa's power and justice. Little Cyrus knew that with his modern knowledge, he could make this elite force even more powerful and flawless than its historical counterpart, to remain invincible against any threat, like Alexander, and guarantee the eternal endurance of his empire.