The Scythians inhabited the Eurasian steppe from 900 BC to around 200 BC. With no Scythian writing surviving, much what is known about these peoples comes from ancient Assyrian and Graeco-Roman literary sources and from archaeological evidence. From these sources, it is clear that the Scythians were formidable warriors and accomplished riders, roaming the Eurasian steppes and controlling the regional trade. The Greeks first encountered the Scythians in the 7th century BCE, and with the establishment of many Greek cities in the region, the Greek and Scythian cultures would greatly influence the other’s culture and art for centuries.
Scythian art was highly decorative, often looking to nature for inspiration, with the motifs of birds, felines, stags, and flowers featuring throughout. In many Near Eastern cultures, the lotus flower was a token of purity based on the concept of enlightenment, it represented self-regeneration and the cycle of rebirth. The Scythians were famed for their rich metal working culture, producing highly ornate jewellery and appliqués. The latter was sewn onto headdresses, shoes, as well as the necklines and sleeves of Scythian garments. Gold pieces have been found not only in the opulent tombs of men and women, but also in the tombs of their horses, emphasising the integral role this precious metal and these beloved animals had in Scythian culture.
To discover more about Scythian gold, please visit our relevant post: Scythian Gold: The Ziwiye Treasure.
