Barry Cunlife - The Scythians

the rise of the pontic steppe scythians
make the most of the opportunities, serving as mercenaries or acting as freebooters
as the occasion arose. There may have been many groups of Scythians seeking their
fortunes in Asia Minor at any one time.
The Greek and Assyrian texts provide a broad chronology for the period. Scythians
in Asia Minor are first mentioned in an Assyrian cuneiform tablet dating to
the 670s and are referred to thereafter on several occasions until the 630s, when the
cuneiform record comes to an end. According to Herodotus, Scythian power was
broken by the duplicity of the Median king, Cyaxares (625–585 bc). When, exactly,
this took place is not recorded, but Scythians were still active in Asia Minor as late as
612 bc serving as allies of the Medes and Babylonians at the sack of Nineveh. The long
chronology is at odds with Herodotus’ assertion that the Syrians were in Asia Minor
for only 28 years before those who survived Cyaxares’ treachery decided to return
home. In all probability the story he tells is that of just one of the many groups of
Scythians marauding through Asia Minor over a period of several generations.
The archaeological evidence from the north Caucasus, and in particular the valley
of the Kuban River, shows that Scythians were present in some number at least
from the second half of the seventh century. Rich burials at Kelermes and Krasnoye
Znamya testify to the early presence of a wealthy elite. The region was comparatively
restricted and as populations grew one way to relieve the inevitable social tensions
that arose was by the lesser aristocrats leading their followers through the mountains
in search of adventure and plunder in a febrile world where Assyrian power was
beginning to crumble. The Scythians of the North Caucasus benefited in many ways
from this involvement in Asia Minor. Many would have returned with spoil acquired
as diplomatic gifts or as plunder, their status enhanced. The pair of gold cups found
in one of the Kelermes kurgans probably reached the Kuban valley in this way, while
the presence of horse gear comparable in style to that found in the kingdom of Urartu
and in Assyria might suggest the acquisition of horses from the south. Similarly the
appearance of jewellery decorated in granulation and filigree could reflect the arrival
of southern women brought back as wives or concubines. In this context one might
recall the story of the Scythian king Bartatua, who asked the Assyrian king, Asarhaddon,
to provide him with one of his daughters as a wife. The context of the proposed
deal is nicely defined by the question which Asarhaddon asked the oracle of the sun
god Shamash, ‘Will Bartatua, if he takes my daughter, speak words of true friendship,
keep the oath of Asarhaddon, King of Assyria, and do all that is good for Asarhaddon,
King of Assyria?’ In other words, can you trust a Scythian? The oracle’s answer is
not recorded, nor do we know if Bartatua acquired his Assyrian bride.
The constant flow to the North Caucasus of luxury goods, people, and ideas from
the conflict zone of Asia Minor throughout the seventh century greatly enriched the
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