Introduction
The Scythians were a mighty Indo-European nomadic people who dominated the vast Eurasian steppe between 900 BCE and 400 CE. Their empire stretched from the Carpathians to the borders of Mongolia. They were renowned for their superior equestrian culture, their deadly skill with the bow, and a unique art style that would influence the region for centuries to come.
Although the name "Scythian" is often used as a collective term for diverse tribes such as the Sarmatians, Massagetae, and Sakas, these groups shared a core culture: the Scytho-Siberian culture.
Origin and Migration
The roots of the Scythians lie deep in the prehistory of the steppe. They descended from Proto-Indo-European herders who formed the Corded Ware culture in Western Europe around 3,000 BCE. After centuries of migrations between Europe and Central Asia, their ancestors remigrated around 2,000 BCE to the Pontic steppe, where they formed the Sintashta cultures (inventors of the war chariot).
The Expulsion of the Cimmerians
Around 800 BCE, the Scythians definitively settled north of the Black Sea (present-day Ukraine and South Russia). In doing so, they displaced the original inhabitants, the Cimmerians. The latter became internally divided; while the royal clan was wiped out, others fled to Western Asia.
Society and Social Structure
Scythian society was strictly hierarchical and based on a patriarchal system of clan structures and oath-bound reciprocity.
The Royal Scythians (Scoloti): The warrior aristocracy and the highest class. They dominated politics and the armies.
The Priestly Class (Auchatae): Responsible for religious rituals and cosmic order.
The Farmers and Laborers (Catiari & Traspies): The lower stratum that provided food supply and manual labor.
The Position of Women
Initially, women were subordinate, but through the influence of the related Sarmatians, this changed. From the Middle Scythian period onwards, women could serve as warriors. Archaeologists have found countless graves of armed women, which possibly formed the basis for the Greek legends of the Amazons.
Warfare and Weaponry
The Scythians were the terror of the ancient world. Their armies consisted mainly of mounted archers who employed feigned retreat tactics: they would pretend to flee to draw the enemy out of formation, then suddenly wheel around and unleash a rain of arrows.
Weaponry:
The Composite Bow: A powerful, S-shaped bow with great range.
Scale Armor: Adopted from Western Asia; iron or bronze scales sewn onto leather. Horses were sometimes equipped with it as well.
Akinakes: A short, Scythian sword or dagger.
Shields: Made of wicker, wood, or hide, often reinforced with metal strips.
Religion and Death
Scythian religion was a form of Indo-European paganism. They worshipped gods who bore striking resemblance to Old Norse and Greek deities. Shamanism and the use of cannabis in ritual tents played a role in inducing trances.
The Kurgans (Royal Burials)
When a king died, he was buried with unparalleled luxury in a kurgan (burial mound).
His body was embalmed and carried through all the tribes.
In the grave, concubines, servants, and horses were sacrificed to serve him in the afterlife.
A year after burial, often 50 young servants and 50 horses were killed and arranged as "eternal riders" around the burial mound.
Graeco-Scythian Trade
From the 7th century BCE onwards, the Greeks established colonies on the Black Sea, such as Olbia and Panticapaeum. A flourishing trade emerged:
Exports: The Scythians supplied grain, fish, furs, and slaves.
Imports: The Scythian elite purchased Greek wine, olive oil, and golden jewelry.
This interaction led to a beautiful hybrid style in art, with Greek goldsmiths working in the typical Scythian "animal style", featuring dynamic depictions of hunting predators, griffins, and horses.
The End of an Era
Around 513 BCE, the Scythians survived a massive invasion by Persian king Darius I by employing a scorched earth tactic. However, in the 4th century BCE, the empire began to wane.
339 BCE: The famous king Ateas fell in battle against Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great).
Decline: Eventually, the Scythians were defeated and assimilated around 300-200 BCE by the rising Sarmatians.
By the early Middle Ages, Scythian identity had been completely absorbed into the new peoples of the steppe, but their legendary status as the ultimate riders of the East persisted in historical accounts.
Internal links:
Foederati and Auxilia: The Non-Roman Backbone of the Army
Carthage: The Maritime Superpower of Antiquity
The Roman Legionary in Antiquity: Function, History and Characteristics
