For combat, this force adapted the Scythian bollock dagger for their own akinaka.
The vanguard of this force typically wore a dress in the style of the emperor with a purple robe to highlight their importance. Spear-bearers and javelin bearers who made up this force were called sparabaras and takabaras respectively. For combat, this force adapted the Scythian bollock dagger for their own akinaka. One account of this military force states 1,000 of its soldiers carried spears with gold pomegranates on them, while 9,000 others carried spears with silver pomegranates on them; that section of this force was led by Hydarnes. Ten soldiers who comprised this force were part of a dathabam, while a thousand of those units made up a hazarabam. The Cyropedia asserts that a certain ruler invented the scythed chariot, then bestowed it upon this force. For 10 points, identify this military force that defeated Leonidas at the Battle of Thermopylae, and which has been led by Xerxes and Darius.
The vanguard of this force typically wore a dress in the style of the emperor with a purple robe to highlight their importance.
Persian army or military [accept Achaemenid for Persian; anti-prompt on "Immortals" or "amrtaka" before mention]