I/25 MIDDLE-ASSYRIAN & EARLY NEO-ASSYRIAN 1365 BC - 745 BC

This list covers the pre-reform seasonal army of Assyria, strongly influenced by Hurri-Mitanni practice. The original capital of Assur was now becoming overshadowed by the cities of Nineveh and Nimrud, a little higher up the Tigris. The change from the light 2-crew chariot to the heavier 3-horse, 3-crew chariot occurred around 882 BC under Ashurnasirpal II. Pethalle are depicted as a pair of horsemen, an archer on the left and a companion on his right controlling both horses. Assyria may have survived the Sea Peoples invasions partly because they had tougher infantry than other chariot-based armies. Of these, the elite ashsharittu and the huradu were equipped with javelin/short spear, sword, wicker shield, helmet but no body armour and fought aggressively, so are classed as Blades. Hupshu or sabe peasant militia probably mostly lacked sword and helmet and the offensive ethos, so are Auxilia. Archers are assumed to be part of the close fighting elements. Reference: Armies of the Ancient Near East N. Stillman & N. Tallis.

I/25a — Middle Assyrian Army 1365 BC - 883 BC

List: 1 x General {LCh), 3 x 2-horse 2-crew chariots (LCh), 2 x ashsharittu or huradu (3Bd), 4 x hupshu or sabe (3/4Ax), 2 x archers (Ps)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 4
Enemies:

I/25b — Early Neo-Assyrian Army 882 BC - 745 BC

List: 1 x General in 3-horse 3crew chariot (HCh), 1 x 3-horse 3-crew chariots (HCh), 1 x 2-horse 2<rew chariots (LCh), 1 x 2-horse 2- crew chariots (LCh) or pethalle (LH), 2 x ashsharittu or huradu (3Bd), 4 x hupshu or sabe (3/4Ax), 1 x archers (Ps), 1 x levies (7Hd)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 4
Allies: I/31b