Barry Cunlife - The Scythians

the scythians as others saw them
that the Greek world was able to observe at leisure the fascinating life of the Scythian
nomads.
Recording the World of the Other
The Greek cities of the Aegean coast of Asia Minor became great centres of learning,
particularly in the sixth and fifth centuries bc, in no small part due to their geographical
position at the interface between the maritime world of the Aegean and the Mediterranean
and the land-based kingdoms and empires of the Near East. They were
hubs through which knowledge from Asia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean flowed and
where it could be brought together by keen minds eager to understand and explain
the world around them. Principal among these cities was Miletos, which, as we have
seen, was instrumental in organizing the colonial expeditions sailing for the Black
Sea. Here lived the early philosopher scientists, Thales (c.624–546), Anaximander
(c.610–545), and Anaximenes (c.585–528), each striving to understand the nature of
the universe. They were developing their ideas, debating with their fellows in the
stoas of Miletos, and avidly picking up new information from the visitors flocking to
the city when the fever of colonization was at its height. These were heady times for
anyone with an enquiring mind. From what he learned of geography Anaximander is
credited with drawing the first world map.
The advance of the Persians under Cyrus had, by 530 bc, engulfed much of Asia
Minor including the Greek cities of its Aegean coast. A level of resistance to foreign
occupations was ever present but the social and economic life of the citizens had
not greatly changed. It was in these uneasy times that Hecataeus (c.550–476), born in
Miletos twenty years before the Persian occupation began, grew up. He came from
a wealthy family and travelled widely, devoting himself to writing books on geography
and history. He almost certainly knew Anaximenes, providing a link with the
old order. One of his books, Journey around the Earth, described what was then known
of Europe, Asia, and Africa. He had heard of the Celts in the west of Europe, perhaps
gathering his information from travellers coming from the colony of Massalia (Marseilles)
in the western Mediterranean and he knew of the Scythians, hearing about
these mare-milking nomads from visitors arriving from the Black Sea colonies. The
book no longer exists but scraps of its content are referred to in later works providing
tantalizing clues as to its original scope and content. Apart from his writings, Hecataeus’
main claim to fame was that in 500, at the time when the Ionian cities were
planning to rebel against the Persians, he argued unsuccessfully against the venture.
Six years later, after the rebellion had been defeated, he helped to negotiate favourable
terms with the Persian authorities.
44