A nomadic life:
The Scythians are tribes of horsemen who roam the plains of Central Asia . Their territory extends over the Black Sea . They are constantly on the move in search of pasture to feed their livestock. They raise horses, cattle and sheep. They live in tents that they fold up and carry with them.
Funeral rites:
When a Scythian chief dies, he is buried with his most precious possessions under a huge burial mound called a kurgan . A year later, 50 men and horses were killed and placed around the mound.
ABOUT 700-600 BC. AD
Scythian warriors plunder the surrounding lands:
The Scythians move to the northern territories of the Black Sea and subjugate the local populations. They are skillful riders and excellent archers who also fight with spears and axes . After battles, they make cups from the skulls of their dead enemies.
TOWARDS 514 B.C. AD
The Scythians repel a Persian attack.
AROUND 400 – 300 BC. AD
A rich and prosperous life:
The Scythians sell the wheat of the peasants whose lands they have conquered. They traded with the Greeks and bought precious metals from Central Asian merchants. They also enrich themselves by making tribes pay merchants who pass through their territory.
TOWARDS 110 – 106 BC. AD
The Greek King Mithridates of the southern Black Sea region defeats the Scythians.
Learn more about the Persians during antiquity.
Learn more about the ancient Greeks.
Useful link:
Wikipedia article: The Scythians