Thanvar-i Anusiyag

Javidan Archers are the elite archer component of the Achaemenid army. As cam be expected, they are amongst some of the best archers, and can easily best a Greek army if left unchecked.

History
The main core of the Achaemenid infantry arm was the Javidan, or better known to us today as the "Immortals" (and possibly "Apple Bearers", allegedly after the butt ornaments on their spears).

While most Achamenid sources on them are sketchy at best, the man who coined the term "Immortals" - Herodotus - mentions that they were usually maintained at a numerical strength of 10,000 at all times. It is thought that the Javidan were not heavily armoured, preferring to use expertise, training and mobility to best their opponents. On the other hand, other sources argue that they being an elite were armed with sword, shield, bow and scale mail, as befitting an elite force.

While the Immortals served in almost every Persian campaign, perhaps the most famous battle that they ever fought was at Thermopylae, where the Spartans attempted to break Darius II's attempt to conquer Greece in 480BCE by blocking off a strategic mountain pass. Seemingly unhindered by their armour, the Javidan managed to bypass the Spartans, only to hit them in the rear, eventually defeating the Greeks on the field.