People of Persia

Persian clothing is based on the tunic and the shawl. A Persian tunic is commonly long-sleeved wool or cotton and decorated depending on the wealth of the wearer. Patterns and decoration might include the sacred tree, repeated geometric patterns or rosettes. Women tended to wear larger shawls and longer tunics, but there is otherwise little difference in approach to clothing. Warriors often wear shorter tunics and breeches whilst scholars choose longer tunics.

Persian clothing tends to be fitted to the wearer, with the exception of the trademark voluminous trousers. The bright dyes available to the Persians include blues, reds, yellows, and greens, with purple especially favoured. These might be used for detailed embroidery on a natural wool garment or as a block colour on linen or cotton. Persians favour decorative scarves, with tasselled fringing. Many wear metal bangles, and the scarf may be used as a turban or worn round the waist or shoulders, although a variety of other hats are worn across the Thousand Nations.

The cultural armour for Persia is leather or metal plates on the torso. This might be a small number of plates sewn into leather, or a full length suit of small, flexible, overlapping plates designed to give flexibility and protection.

The cultural armour for Persia is leather or metal plates on the torso. This might be a small number of plates sewn into leather, or a full length suit of small, flexible, overlapping plates designed to give flexibility and protection.

The cultural shield for Persia is either a figure of eight design or a crescent. These designs give Persians maximum protection without compromising either the weight and manoeuvrability or offensive capacity of the bearer. Many Persians decorate their shields with bright colours to match their clothes.

Media influences for the look of Persia are reflect opulence, luxury and conspicuous wealth. Take a look at the extreme stylised decadence of the Persians in 300 for example. Other sources, such as DW Griffith’s Intolerance and Alexander take a more conservative view. The Ray Harryhausen Sinbad films, along with other Arabian Nights inspired epics, present a differnt view on the nation. Finally some episodes of the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys show civilised Persians who display flaunt the trappings of wealth.