Scythians - a people who lived in the I millennium BC, in the steppes of Eurasia.He had no written language, so it is a political and social scientists must recreate the story based on a rather meager information that survived in other cultures, and on the basis of archaeological research.History of the Middle Ages and antiquity, keeps the secrets of the Scythians.
Scythians most often mentioned in the works of Greek and Latin authors.Often they called so many people who lived in those days on the vast territory of the Eurasian steppes.However, a more thorough study of this name gives reason to believe that this name called themselves only residents of the Azov Sea and the Northern Black Sea.
victory over the Persians
most significant event of the early history of Scythia was invading its territory Persian invaders.They wanted to conquer an independent nation and make it their tributary.
Invasion countless hordes of Darius, the Persian king, threatened Scythia disaster.Cross the river Danube, Darius and his army for two months was in the wilderness, in pursuit of the Scythians.But they departed without taking the fight.Persian king did not manage to cause opponents to the decisive battle.Scythians motivated his refusal by saying that they have no cities that are worth protecting, no cultivated land.They only nomads, leading the usual way of life for themselves.But they are constantly harassed by small Persian raids.
As a result, the army of Darius, having all Scythia and some adjacent land to her, was forced to flee.
Origin
There is a theory that the ancient Scythians in the Black Sea lands came from Asia.They were forced out of their Cimmerian.Diodorus of Sicily wrote that formerly Scythians were few and weak.They lived on the banks of the Araks.Then the Scythians got stronger and conquered the Ante and land on the northern Black Sea coast.So far not determined what Diodorus calls the Araks River.The fact is that in those days was called so many rivers.Therefore, scientists have yet no consensus where originally inhabited by ancient tribes of the Scythians.
Language mysterious people
Scythians, the history of which is covered with a variety of mysteries have left practically no evidence of their language.Scientists have only a certain amount of geographical names and personal names, which remained in the texts of other nations.But even these data were sufficient to argue that the language of the ancient Scythians belonged to the Iranian group.
social system
Greeks perceived as a wondrous land of Scythia flying "white flies" (snow).They were sure that there is always a cold, that the land is wild, inhabited by nomadic tribes.Characteristics of the Scythians found in the works of Horace and Ovid.
dominant position in society had a Royal Scythians.They lived in the steppes between the rivers Don and Dnieper.The tribe they were the most numerous.Other groups depend upon it.On the right bank of the Dnieper, and the steppes of the Crimea lived nomadic Scythians, and between the Dnieper and Ingul - farmers.
Since its introduction on the scene Scythia performed as a complex public education.A significant role at that time played a tribal structure, but over time, as the history of the Middle Ages, its foundations have been modified due to the emergence of private property.As a consequence - the emergence of social inequality.There was a rich aristocratic elite, strengthen the power of the king and his retinue.
Later on the basis of the Scythian society was the family, which has been in the ownership of livestock and household property.
stood at the head of the tribe tribal elders and kings.Authorities last hereditary.Conventional wisdom about the divine origin of the kind of rulers that are executed in parallel, and judicial functions.Any disobedience was punished by death.
life and customs
Scythians - a nomadic people.The military organization of the tribe as a whole has left its mark on all aspects of the life of ancient people.Armed was not just any man, but often women.Each nomadic childhood was a true friend - the horse.
Above all Scythians appreciated courage and bravery in combat, military valor, devotion to his people.From the number of enemies killed in battle depended on the share of the spoils.
history of kinship was carried through the male line.The descendants of the Scythians (the eldest sons) of the parental property obtained during the life of his father.The youngest son getting any rest facilities.The women were in a subordinate position.They were engaged in housework.Captured in battle people became slaves, whom the Scythians were sold to the Greeks.A small part of the prisoners remained in the tribe.They took care of the cattle, helped with housekeeping.
Scythians comply with complex funeral rites.He describes in great detail by Herodotus.When a Scythian nobleman died, his body was embalmed so that it can be preserved for 40 days - it is such a term was devoted to a farewell to the deceased.It wore rich clothes, laid in a cart, and drove for numerous relatives.
most lush, of course, were the kings of the funeral.His body was carried by all the families who were under his command.As a sign of mourning for the ruler of the ordinary Scythians cut their hair, and even applied himself seriously injured (sword pierced hands or feet).
Faith
Scythians, the history of which is still not fully understood in religious beliefs reached a high degree of deification of natural phenomena and its forces.
main Scythians was the goddess guarding the home - Tabitha.She embodied the clan and family unity.Prayers to her, considered the greatest oath.
Papaya Scythians considered their progenitor.According to legend, the daughter of the river Borisfen and dad - the parents of the first Scythian - Targitai.
Goal Ali, which means the Earth, represented water and land as the basis for generating began.
dad, Tabitha Ali - a triad that led the Scythian pantheon of deities.
Ares - God of War.Since the Scythians - a militant people that God played a special role in their lives.This is confirmed by the fact that it was Ares Scythians built sanctuary.In his honor, the festival held every year in which the bravest warriors in the award received a cup of wine.
Scythians, like many Indo-Iranian peoples, were the priests, which they greatly admire.However, if the prediction did not come true priests, they were subjected to a painful death.
Art Scythian Burial
leaders and members of the nobility in bulk mounds allowed to learn a lot about the culture and art of the people.
After the victory over the Persians for Scythians comes almost two-century heyday.Most of the investigated mounds belong to this time.Their dimensions are very different.Above the graves of ordinary soldiers built a small mound, while over the graves of military commanders and kings erected a huge mound of earth.Sometimes they were used and stone structures.
most famous royal mound Chertomlyk had a height of 19 m (before the start of the excavations), and the circle at the bottom of the hill - 330 m. The height of Alexandropol hill exceed 21 m.
At the dead were buried, many dear to him in life things, luxury items, decorated,usually in the "animal" style.It is derived from the fact that loved to draw animals Scythians.Pictures with people are rare.Jewellery often had images of habitual Scythians animals like leopard, deer, elk, birds of prey.Figures minted in gold and silver.Bronze and iron used simple Scythians.Pictures of animals can be seen not only in coinage.They were cast in gold, carved wood, painted on the walls.This invariably follow certain fairly strict rules.Thus, animals have always been depicted in motion and make sure the side.Their heads should be directed towards the person.
«Beast» Scythian style is different vividness, specificity created images.Before sunset Scythia images become coarser and linear-planar.
Despite the fact that the ancient mounds long time rob, still stored in them great treasures of the Scythians.This is due to the fact that the excavations were largely haphazard, because a large number of artifacts have been overlooked.
Scythian burial mounds
The graves investigated by archaeologists discovered armaments (in male burials).Since each skiff was horse shooter, it is quite clear presence in the graves of bronze arrowheads, as well as remnants of the bow.Proliferation of weapons of the Scythians - the swords and spears akinakes.In women's graves were usually decorations and mirrors.
Mounds nobility a diversity of objects found there.Sheath akinak and cases for arrows (lit) were often decorated with gold leaf and decorated with mythological images.Clothing buried noble Scythians and bedspreads embroidered with gold plaques.Often in such graves there are various vessels - an open bowl with two handles, rhytons, spherical cups.They were made of gold or of wood with gold lining.
Sword Scythians
famous Scythian akinak a short stabbing-cutting weapon.It is designed for close combat on foot.Akinaka length with a handle about 45 cm, the blade length - 25-30 cm.
Blade had the shape of an elongated triangle greatly.He could have one and two blades.In the latter case they are parallel to each other and narrowed sharply in the last third.The cross section of the sword of the Scythians may have lenticular or rhombic.Studies have found in the burial Tliyskom blades showed that in those days the grouting was applied not only of blanks, but the finished weapons to improve its working qualities.
sword with a handle are forged of flat blanks.Then, using forge welding were attached to it and a crosshair pommel made separately.
Swords and daggers Scythian warriors wore in a sheath made of wood.However, the tree is stored poorly.So now difficult to judge the shape of the sheath.It is much better preserved swords end the so-called buteroli, which were made of bone or metal.
tsarist weapons
Ceremonial Scythian swords were found in the "royal burial mounds."They belong to the second half of the IV century BC.Their hilt overlaid with gold leaf with an oval or round finial.Crosshairs triangular swords.At the top of the blade has cut-outs that are characteristic of the later ceremonial swords.Recently demonstrated at the Hermitage akinak found in the mound near the village of Fillipovka (Orenburg region), which refers to the IV century BC.The blade of the sword in the middle tracery.It alternates slot and stamped images of birds of prey, gold-plated.For professionals remains a mystery how such a piece of work could be carried out in such a long time ago.
Worship weapons
Scythians - it is the people in the life of the sword which was used not only as a weapon.Very often it was used in rituals, fastening oath or treaty.From ancient times to the sword he plays the role of a symbol of royal power and the guardian forces and warrior prowess.
Legendary treasures
In the ancient world Scythian tribes were the biggest fans of gold.It symbolized the power of this nation, the immortality, the sun and light.Gold accompany them everywhere and always - from the cradle of the baby and ending with the burial mound.Many historians, including Herodotus, mistakenly believed that the Scythians did not know anything about the existence of other metals.However, archaeological excavations have proved that they used, and bronze, and copper, and silver.However, the base metal of the Scythians was gold.
Many historical sources claim that the art of the Scythians borrowed from Greece.There is a version that the master of the people could make jewelry like the Greek.
legendary treasures of the Scythians were partly plundered.According to Herodotus, the militant people not only collected tribute in their territories, but also rob the people living in them.
Most items discovered in the graves of the Scythians, is of great interest of scientists around the world.The wealth of their burial mounds can be compared only with the Mycenaean tombs in Greece.Treasures of the Scythians are stored in a special storeroom St. Petersburg's Hermitage and other museums of our country.
ancient jewelers produced their works in a special style, which is difficult to confuse with some other.This is the famous "animal style", which we mentioned earlier.Most often they are depicted various figures of animals.Quite often, these figures were used in the decoration of dishes, weapons, religious items.
Women's clothing noble skifyanok richly embroidered with gold plates and plaques.Attire supplemented necklaces hryvnia, rings and earrings of gold.A large number of women's jewelry found in Scythian burial mounds.
today does not abate interest in the heritage of the Scythians and their treasures as well.Unfortunately, in recent years, they appear not only in the best exhibition halls of the world.Quite often fall prey Scythian treasures "black diggers".Their gold has become a lucrative business for the hands of unscrupulous hunters artifacts.
