After comprehending the greatness of Cyrus the Great's military and ethical strategies, Little Kourosh's mind, in the solitude of his infancy, was drawn to one of the most legendary and fearsome military units in ancient history: the Achaemenid Immortals. This legion, which in the original history was founded by Darius the Great and whose presence struck terror into the hearts of enemies, was so impressive and unique that in Little Kourosh's mind, it had to emerge among the Achaemenid commanders earlier than scheduled, guided by his own measures and insight. He knew that the existence of such an elite force would be vital not only for protecting the empire's borders but also for its thousand-year stability and the preservation of the ideals of justice and peace. This guard was destined to be a symbol of Persian power and order.
He recalled the number and nature of this special guard and why the name "Immortals" was fitting for them. 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 "Immortal" because if a member fell ill, was wounded, or even died on the battlefield, someone from the trained and ready reserves would immediately take his place. This system of constant and uninterrupted replacement ensured that the Immortal force always remained at full strength and ready for combat, as if they never died. This very feature magnified their fearsome reputation in the hearts of their enemies and boosted the morale of their own soldiers.
Little Kourosh knew well that the members of this guard constituted the undisputed elite of the Achaemenid army. Not only the ten-thousand-strong Immortals but also the cavalry guard regiment were selected from among the most skilled and bravest warriors of the empire. These individuals were not only highly skilled in martial arts, horsemanship, and archery but also possessed unconditional loyalty to the King of Kings and the ideals of the empire. These characteristics made them a reliable, terrifying, and decisive force on the battlefield, capable of changing the fate of wars and playing a vital role in major victories. Their selection was based on merit and loyalty, not merely lineage.
Among these ten thousand men, the first thousand-strong regiment of this guard was called the "Regiment of the Protectors." This group was more special and elite than the rest, holding a special place in the heart of the army and the court. Their spears were tipped with a golden pomegranate, a sign of their special and noble status; the pomegranate being a symbol of fertility, abundance, and immortality in Persian culture. They were all Persians and were renowned and feared for their unparalleled courage, their unmatched skill in battle, and their iron discipline. This regiment had the primary duty of protecting the King of Kings, and for this reason, during battle, they were positioned right in front of and next to the ruler. At court, they stood closer to the king than other soldiers, as if they were his shadow.
Little Kourosh thought about the special equipment of this protector regiment: only this thousand-man group, whose spear butts were golden, was equipped with shields—large, sturdy shields that protected them from enemy arrows and spears. They forwent bows and quivers, focusing more on close-quarters, hand-to-hand combat, but they also carried a short Elamite dagger, a sharp and deadly sword. This combination of equipment made them ideal for protecting the King of Kings at close range and in the heart of battle. He also contemplated the ethnic composition of this guard; in addition to Persians and Elamites, Medes also served in the ten-thousand-strong Achaemenid Immortals. This diversity was indicative of the policy of recruiting elites from across the empire and the loyalty of these peoples to the King of Kings, which contributed to the unity and cohesion of the empire.
The most bitter part of these reflections for Little Kourosh was the final resistance and dissolution of this legendary army. The Immortals made their last heroic stands against the army of Alexander the Great in the decisive Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. The Battle of Gaugamela, in which the Persian army fought with all its might, marked the end of the Achaemenid Empire. The Persian army, including the valiant men of the Immortal Guard, was defeated despite all their courage and sacrifice. With the collapse of the Achaemenids, the Immortal Guard was also disbanded, and their name remained only in the history books. Little Kourosh remembered how the Greeks were overjoyed by this dissolution, as they had always been in awe and fear of the might of this force, considering it invincible.
Little Kourosh suffered from the common myths and false portrayals of the Immortals in popular culture, especially influenced by Hollywood films and novels. He remembered how the fame of the Achaemenid Immortals had been distorted by completely false and unrealistic depictions. These films portray the Immortals as unnatural, savage, silent, and masked beings who are more like demonic forces than Iranian soldiers. These portrayals are not only miles away from historical reality but are also a blatant insult to the true status of these great, unique, and honorable warriors of the Achaemenid army who fought proudly for their land.
He vowed to himself that in his thousand-year empire, he would not only form the Immortal army earlier than scheduled—that is, during his own time and not Darius's—but would also ensure that the legacy and honor of these soldiers were correctly recorded in history and protected from any distortion or misrepresentation. This legendary army, which was destined to campaign in Egypt and Greece and reach the pinnacle of fame and authority, would be a symbol of Persian power, justice, and order. Little Kourosh knew that with his modern knowledge, he could make this elite force even more powerful, flawless, and efficient than its historical version, so that it would be invincible against any threat, like Alexander, and guarantee the eternal stability of his empire. This was Kourosh's dream for his immortal elites.