The mankind knows about existence of Scythians generally from historical stories by the Greek historian Herodotus and from excavation of barrows – ritual burials of the ancient people.
Instruction
1. The exact origin of Scythians is unknown, but on the remained images imprinted on ware, one may say, that they treated europeidny race. They lived on a southeast part of Europe in Black Sea Coast and partially on the Middle East.
2. In the first historical mentions about it is said that the people inhabited the Western Asia and the East, but from there were forced out by more aggressive tribes, however, it is considered, as without unfriendly neighbors the Scythians led a nomadic life, mastering on new lands agriculture, and later and military science. By the way, the men's thickset constitution of Scythians and their amazing endurance became pledge of the fact that once peace nomadic people turned into one of powerful tribes of the time.
3. Blossoming of a civilization of Scythians falls on 600 B.C. At that time Scythians who actively used iron began to apply it to creation of arms of a various type and a protective armor that added to Scythian soldiers of "survivability" in fight.
4. Scythians in the military operations against the neighbors surrounding them actively used a cavalry and archers. Military victories allowed them to become stronger in a part of the territories which were once belonging even to Egyptians. It is known that soldiers opposed the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Assyrian tsars, Palestinians, Babylonia, Persia, the Mussel, Urartu. It brought to their civilization numerous material benefits from the countries defeated by them in the form of lands or a tribute which was paid by defeated.
5. Blossoming of a Scythian civilization lasted about 400 years: from 7 to the 3rd century BC. From the beginning of settled life they actively began to be engaged in agriculture and cultivation of grain which was enough not only to them for food, but also for sale for other tribes. Despite the eagerness to fight, they lived with ancient Greeks in peace and friendship and did not break border between the states. Scythians admired art of metal working by ancient Greeks and probably therefore they had close trade relations.
6. Is known of traditions and beliefs of the ancient people a little. For example, there are data that the man of the tribe was poligamen, he had the wife and concubines who had to watch the house. The woman belonged to the father, and then the husband. Children were raised collectively, boys passed something like military preparation.
7. After the death of Scythian soldiers or aristocrats stored in barrows in which stacked their weapon and property, considering that it is required to them in afterlife. Thanks to such type of burials reached much various utensils from use of Scythians our time.
8. Rites were pagan rather, it is hardly possible to speak about monotheism. In customs there was a little bloodthirstiness as after the death of the husband killed the wife and concubines together with servants who were buried nearby.
9. There is no exact date of disappearance of a Scythian civilization, they stopped the existence as nationality in the Middle Ages, having completely assimilated in other nationalities.