British archaeologist Sir Barry Cunliffe explores ancient Eurasian steppe cultures in The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe. The Scythians were one of many nomadic, horse-based tribes roaming the Eurasian steppe from the ninth to second centuries BCE. They shared a common pastoral lifestyle, wore similar colorful clothing, and created vibrant animalistic art. Nomadic culture was reinforced by extensive trade routes. A Mongol dispatch rider in the thirteenth century could, changing horses as necessary, ride from Karakorum in the Mongolian steppe to Hungary (a distance of ~4,600 miles) in less than a month. |
In the summers, nomads scattered across the endless grasslands; winters were spent in the relative shelter of river valleys. They tended their herds on horseback and families moved camp in felt-covered wagons drawn by horses or oxen. Some herded horses exclusively, other tribes also herded cattle and sheep, but these animals were less well suited to survive the harsh extremes of the steppe, where summers reached 113 F and winters plummeted to -49 F. |
The Scythians used cannabis smoke ritually, and were said to “bathe” by applying a paste of resins and aromatic oils, then scraping it off, leaving their skin “clear and glossy." They also added horsehair and felt to stylize their hair into rigid plaits, using fancy combs to hold their hairstyles in place. Gender was a fluid concept among the Scthyians. At least one in five warriors were genetic females; Greek historians described transgender individuals living as women and gender-neutral shamans. |
Musical instruments included bone flutes, ox-horn drums, and wooden harps. They made simple wooden tables, easily disassembled, and probably sat on ornate rugs or cushions stuffed with horsehair. Their horse tack was covered with elaborate golden ornaments and the scalps of enemies. Similarly, they carried swords in decorative scabbards and used gilded cases for their bows and arrows, called gorytos by the Greeks (sadaq is the reconstructed term I use in Sky God’s Warrior). |
Scythian battle tactics are best documented during the Persian invasion of the Pontic Steppe (north of the Black Sea). The Scythians “retreated” before the Persian army, drawing them deeper and deeper into the steppe, and stretching their supply lines. The Scythians then made lightning raids on the Persian camp when the troops were eating, withdrawing before the infantry could assemble. They also made devastating night raids. In the end, the Persians withdrew, leaving the steppe unconquered. |
Because these Scythian animistic gods were filtered through the Greek historians who wrote about them, their genders may have been fluid or nonexistent to the Scythians. The vibrant animal art gracing all aspects of Scythian culture lend support for an animist worldview. |