Although they had no central authority and did not represent a homogeneous ethnicity, the Scythians became a formidable power in the steppes of Asia and the plains of Europe.

Scythian nomadic tribes spread throughout Eurasia from the plateau of modern-day Iran around 900 BCE, and over the next 500 years, they formed a huge empire that stretched between China, India, and eastern Europe.

The Scythian culture influenced many peoples with whom the nomads crossed roads due to their lifestyle. Archeological excavations in barrows in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, where Scythian elite members were buried, indicate that they interacted with numerous peoples and learned various crafts from them, including the manufacture of work tools, weapons for battle, leatherworking and metallurgy. Many museums around the world keep in their collection jewelry and gold items made by Scythian craftsmen, usually representing war scenes.

Scythian gold comb depicting a battle 430-390 BC. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Scythians believed in the afterlife and observed the ritual of sacrificing prisoners and horses of deceased leaders to serve them in the other world.

The main occupation of the Scythians (aside from warfare) was animal husbandry, especially horses - for transport, war and meat. Although horses were their favorites, they used to breed cattle, birds and other domestic animals in their households.

The Scythians were not adepts of agriculture and preferred to raid their neighbors for the products they lacked.

The need to acquire resources helped the Scythians become skilled riders, known for speedy raids, endemic looting and brutal extermination of defeated populations. Prisoners were enslaved, at best, or mutilated, but usually killed with cruelty.