Scythians - Rise and Fall of the Original Horselords DOCUMENTARY 

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"These gnome looking, pointy hat things" -Kings and Generals 2021

As far as I'm concerned, Heracles x Snake Waifu is the only acceptable canon for the Scythian genesis.

Its a shame that like many of the nomadic cultures they barely wrote about their own histories, its lucky for us that they were close to the Greeks who loved writing things down.

Nomadic history and society is criminally underrated. Even in the modern day this fascinating lifestyle is suppressed.

Herodotus: The scythians are a bunch of brutes and barbarians. Scythian, totatlly high: Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Atteas: Invades Macedonia. Phillip II: What are you doing steppe bro?

I'm not a historian so take my words with a grain of salt. I've read over the years that the pastoral cultures of eurasian steppes were very good weavers. the color patterns in these garments resembled their clan. Over the years these colored patterns became more complex by marriage alliances between clans. the colors and patterns of one clan got mixed with the other clan and so on. This was probably important for recognition's sake. if a rider would encounter another group he could tell whether he was alligned with them or not. A shared white stripe in the middle could mean that they would be related eventhough the other colors might not match because their clans splitted a couple of generations before diversifying their woven clothes and flags etc.

Thank you for this! I have always found the lacking material available on the Scythians, Thracians, Dacians, and Sarmatians to be truly criminal.

"One trick Steppe ponies".......did one of the writers just become a dad!? CONGRATS!

Remember, just light a beacon to call for the aid of the horse lords.

I just want to congratulate for this amazing effort and this magnificent video.!! Truly impressive how thw Scythians adapted and covered such large areas. Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷

As a half tajik and half pashtun, this history really connects to me. Thank you for this video.

"Philip was a military genius in his own right" Honestly, I'd argue he was the superior military leader of the two of them. He created the army Alexander used to conquer Persia, he trained most of Alexander's generals, and he had more consistent success consolidating his conquests. Heck, the plan to invade Persia was originally Philip's

"This gnome looking, pointy hat things" made me laugh so hard...

Excellent work! Thanks for all the research and hard work you've done to create these super informative videos.

James Tod[25] writes that the tribes here alluded to are the Haihaya or Aswa, the Takshak, and the Jat or Getae; the similitude of whose theogony, names in their early genealogies, and many other points, with the Chinese, Tatar, Mogul, Hindu, and Scythic races, would appear to warrant the assertion of one common origin. Professor B. S. Dhillon states that the Jats are mainly of Indo-Scythian lineage with composite mixing of Sarmatians, Goths & Jutes in History and study of the Jats.[26] Historian James Tod agreed in considering the Jats to be of Indo-Scythian Stock.[27] Moreover, Sir Alexander Cunningham, Former Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, considered the Jats to be the Xanthii (a Scythian tribe) of Scythian stock who he considered very likely called the Zaths (Jats) of early Arab writers.[28] He stated "their name is found in Northern India from the beginning of the Christian era." These people were considered by early Arab writers to have descended from Meds and Zaths.[29][30] Sir Cunningham believed that they "were in full possession of the valley of the Indus towards the end of the seventh century.[31] Stephen Fuchs suggests that the Jats probably migrated from Central Asia to India as a "predatory nomadic tribe".[32] Natalya Romanovna Guseva considered the Jats to be the descendants of the Sakas.[33] It has also been suggested that "the Rajputs proper were of mixed origin - pre-Muslim invaders such as Scythians, Bactrians, Parthians, Hunas and Gurjaras who came in before, say, the end of the 7th century."[34] Sir Alexander Cunningham, (Former Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India) wrote: The Xanthii (a Scythian tribe) are very probably the Zaths (Jats) of the early Arab writers. As the Zaths were in Sindh to the west of the Indus, this location agrees very well with what we know of the settlement of the Sakas (Scythians) on the Indian frontier.[35] Sir John Marshall, (Former Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India) wrote: "These Scythian invaders came principally from the three great tribes of Massagetae (great Jats), Sacaraucae, and Dahae (still exists as a Jat clan of Punjab)[36], whose home at the beginning of the second century B.C. was in the country between the Caspian sea (sea) and the Jaxartes river (Central Asia).[37] Arthur Edward Barstow wrote: "Greeks of Bactria (partly modern Afghanistan), expelled by the hordes of Scythians, entered India in the second and first centuries BC and are said to have penetrated as far as Orissa (an Indian province in south-east). Meanwhile the Medii, Xanthii, Jatii, Getae and other Scythian races, were gradually working their way from the banks of the Oxus (River valley in Central Asia) into Southern Afghanistan and the pastoral highland about Quetta (a Pakistani city), whence they forced their way by the Bolan Pass, through the Sulaiman Mountains into India, settling in the Punjab about the beginning of the first century AD. It is from these Scythian immigrants that most of the Jat tribes are at any rate partly descended."[38] A. H. Bingley wrote: "It is from these Scythian Immigrants that most of the Jat tribes are at any rate partly descended."[39] Professor Joyce Pettigrew wrote: "Another view holds that the Jats came from Asia Minor and Armenia in the successive invasions during the period 600 B.C. to A.D. 600."[40] Professor Henry Smith Williams wrote: "The extent of the Scythian invasion has been variously estimated. Some scholars believe that they virtually supplanted the previous population of India (means Punjab), and there seems little doubt that by far the most numerous section of the Punjab population is of Scythian origin."[41] Professor Pritam Singh Gill wrote: "There is a general concensus of opinion that Jats, and with them Rajputs and Gujjars were foreigners who came from their original home, near the Oxus, Central Asia."[42] Professor Tadeusz Sulimirski wrote: "The evidence of both the ancient authors and the archaeological remains point to a massive migration of Sacian (Sakas)/Massagetan ("great" Jat) tribes from the Syr Daria Delta (Central Asia) by the middle of the second century B.C. Some of the Syr Darian tribes; they also invaded North India."[43] Horace Arthur Rose wrote: "Many of the Jat tribes of the Punjab have customs which apparently point to non-Aryan origin. Suffice it to say that both Sir Alexander Cunningham and Colonel Tod agreed in considering the Jats to be of Indo-Scythian Stock. The former identified them with the Zanthi of Strabo (Greek Geographer of the ancient times) and the Jatii of Pliny (Roman writer) and Ptolemy (Another Greek Geographer of the ancient times); and held that they probably entered the Punjab from their home on the Oxus (in Central Asia) very shortly after the Meds or Mands (still exist as one of the Jat clans of the Punjab), who also were Indo-Scythians, and who moved into the Punjab about a century before Christ."[44] Sir Henry Miers Elliot wrote: "These ignorant tribes (Jats) pointing to the remote Ghazni (Afghanistan) as their original seat, the very spot we know to have been occupied by the Yuechi, or, as Klaproth says, more correctly, Yuti, in the first centuries of our era, after the Sakas (a Scythian tribe) were repelled back from the frontiers of India, and left the country between India and Persia open for their occupation. The Jat tribes not doubt emigrated, no at all once, but at different times, and it is probable that those in the North-West are among the latest importations."[45] I. Sara wrote: "Recent excavations in the Ukraine and Crimea. The finds points to the visible links of the Jat and Scythians."[46] Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff wrote: "My conclusion, therefore, is, that the Jats may be of Scythian descent."[47] Ujagir Singh Mahil wrote: "Jat were called Scythians; because they were the inhabitants of the ancient country of Scythia. The Jats who invaded the Punjab and conquered India up to Benares were called Indo-Scythians."[48] James Francis Katherinus Hewitt wrote: "Further evidence both of the early history and origin of the race of Jats, or Getae, is given by the customs and geographical position of another tribe of the same stock, called the Massagetae, or great (massa) Getae."[49] Sir George Fletcher MacMunn (Sir and Lt. General) wrote: "Alexander came to India in his capacity as the holder of the Persian throne. From his camp near Kabul (Afghanistan), the Macedonian (Alexander) summoned those chiefs whom Skylax (Persian general) had conquered in the old time afore, to come and renew their homage to their ancient Persian overlord in the person of himself. Several obeyed his summons, others did not, and it has been surmised that those who did were later arrivals, of Jat or Scythian origin, outside the normal Aryan fold as later comers to India."[50] Syed Muhammad Latif wrote: "A considerable portion of the routed army of the Scythians settled in the Punjab, and a race of them, called Nomardy, inhabited the country on the west bank of the Indus (river). They are described as a nomadic tribe, living in wooden houses, after the old Scythian fashion, and settling where they found sufficient pasturage. A portion of these settlers, the descendants of Massagetae, were called Getes, from whom sprung the modern Jats."[51] Dr. Gopal Singh wrote: "The Jats of the Panjab, are Scythians in origin and came from Central Asia, whose one branch migrated as far south in Europe as Bulgaria. "[52] N. Singh wrote: "The Scythians appear to originate from Central Asia. They reached Punjab between 50 B.C. and A.D. 50. It seems probable that the Scythian ancestors of the Jats entered the Sindh Valley (presently in Pakistan Kashmir) between 100 B.C. and A.D. 100."[53] Satya Shrava wrote: "The Jats are none other than the Massagetae (Great Getae) mentioned in Diodorus as an off-spring of the ancient Saka tribe.... a fact now well-known."[54] Bakhshish Singh Nijjar wrote: "The Jats are the descendants of Scythians, whose kingdom's capital was Scythia, in the present Ukraine (Ukrainian), Soviet Social Republic, is the constituent Republic of the European USSR (Population 49,757,000) in 1947. Now Ukraine's capital is Kiev, the third leading city in Russia. Before the invasion of the golden herd, 13th century B.C. Scythian, ancient kingdom of indeterminate boundaries, centered in the area north of the Black Sea."[55] Rima Hooja suggests that the Jats are "probably descendants of the Scythians who entered India in early historical times".[56]

"Gnome looking pointy hat things." The narrator always sounds so educated and intellectual, it's always awesome when he takes a shot.

A Scythian hotbox is the only thing that can qualify as a real party to me from now onwards XD

This is a great channel. Not the gimmicky style of other history channels. Just an honest study of history and science.

These are the best documentaries I've seen in awhile. LOVING IT

Lets remember the brave man that lost his hair in the making of these videos...

Scythian parties must have been epic. With that Mary J and mare's milk combo.

You guys always make some of the best history content on YT. I have learned so much about history - of topics that are either known or unknown to me - from your amazing videos!

Really love it as how interestingly this relates to me, as I’m the descendant of the nomadic Saka tribe till now my family uses this name (Sahak) which has been shaped a bit different in writing. My family left their nomadic life style in 1980s when the Afghan-USSR war started and they settle down as city residents. From then on we have adapted a new lifestyle but it gets interesting when we hear our forefathers story and bravery… 🙌❤️

Scythians: "I was riding across steppes over entire continents before it was cool!"

As an equestrian and mounted archer myself, I honor the scythians so much for their impact on the world and horse culture. We overlook just how important the horse was for our civilization building somethings, but everytime I ride my horse, I remember how special this partnership truly is.

For me, the best way to learn and enjoy history. Wrapped into a fascinating story. The best part is, it‘s real history. Thank you very much!

Well, I'm trying to write a book in which I try to include different nations, a huge empire, different peoples all around the globe and of course a main plot, and the thing is that these videos of yours are amazing! I got symbology, history and lore all together. Great inspiration, man. New sub here.

7:43 Scythian Husband: Honey I'm off to get the milk Scythian Wife: Getting drunk again? You never change, your barely the man I married 🙄

Only true men of culture watch Kings and Generals before breakfast

Fantastic! Story and effort, animations, maps! Everything is so amazing!

The Scythian tribe like Sacae & Massagetae that migrated to India have descendants in JAT tribe of Northern India & Pakistan. They still specialize in Agriculture & Animal husbandry and never give up the virtue of warrior as an example they are just 2% of Indian population but have largest number in Indian Army and have their own regiment in Army named after them as JAT Regiment.

I'm glad you guys touched on language! Yep, the last modern remnant of the Scythian language(s) is indeed the modern Ossetian language of the Caucasus. It is spoken in the Russian republic of North Ossetia-Alania, and just over the Caucasus crest to the south in the breakaway South Ossetia region of Georgia. A related linguistic relic is the minority Yaghnobi language of parts of modern Tajikistan. It is the last surviving form of the ancient and medieval Bactrian and Sogdian languages, including the language of the Khwarazmian Empire.

Please keep doing videos about nomad history. I m 31 y.o. kyrgyz woman. I completely missed out our history class because i found it boring back then. But now i m really interested to catch up with it.

The format of having these constant color coded maps makes this so much more absorbable than other history channel’s videos. Keep it up guys. Well done.

The Scythian theme music from CIV 6 is epic!! nicely done!

The Sakas had a prosperous kingdom in Western India, currently Gujrat and North Maharashtra. Most prominent of their kings was Rudradaman. He repaired Sudarshana lake in Gujrat and at there he built a stone inscription. It was the very first stone inscription in the Sanskrit language. He was a great patron of Sanskrit and Hinduism. Along with him Nahpan and Chastana were also some of the well known Saka kings.

You guys do what the history channel should be doing. Fantastic work as always guys

Thank you for mentioning the archeological evidence of Scythian women's participation in warfare, as I feel it is often overlooked. To anyone wanting to know more, I recommend Adrienne Mayor's book The Amazons.

Excellent episode on the Scythians. I loved that faction in Rome Total War

Scythians are so interesting!!!!!

Hope you continue with these videos, love them.

Interesting, the Hindu calendar, the National Calendar of India, is known as the 'Saka calendar' and the present year is 1943

Scythians are awesome. I remember back in Rome Total War, if I wanted to have an easy time, I just play as them and just easily steamroll the entire eastern portion of the map. Horse archers are so OP against Seleucids, Parthia, Armenia, Pontus and Egypt.

Ahhhh yes. My favourite Rome total war faction the Scythians (because of the head hunting maidens) . Finally getting the spotlight they deserve

🥰 I am so thrilled that I found your videos. I have been watching them all day. I started out with the history of Ukraine etc., and just kept going. On to the next one. Your channel is exceptional, thank you.

For many years, I have been fascinated by the Scythians. As an old Cavalryman, I find their hit and run tactics quite appealing. I am currently building a 15mm Scythian army for tabletop use. It will be beautiful and deadly!

OMG, so much history one has never heard of. Thank you.

"These gnome looking pointy hat things" When you just give up finding a more scientific term and understand the viewer will get the reference

Thank you for narrating with well enunciated speech.

Such a good opportunity to look into a people that survived the reset and brought some of their culture across and passed it down the best they could :)

I'm genuinely thankful for those subtitles that you put on your videos, English isn't my native language and sometimes I can't quite catch the things you say, so that helps a lot. Keep up the great work!

Great video. I find it interesting that the Skythans Greek made gold crowns would influence Korean crowns showing how interconnected the ancient world was.

I loved the music you chose for this, so mysterious. Feels like I'm trying to follow or I'm just looking at them from a few hundred feet, fascinated yet want to know more. But closer I get the further they go.

I love your voice and use of words. Made it extraordinary. Thanks

These beyond 4k years old forgotten people are the best history subjects... when we were baby stepping out of our stone age, and yet, we had become so solicitated... so early...

Nothing quite like enjoying breakfast while watching a new episode of Kings & Generals. What an amazing channel!!

Fun Fact, According to Iranian Mythology, the Forefather of Iranic People was a man named Fereydun who had three sons, Iraj the king of Iranians, Turaj the king of Turanians (Sakas/Modern Day Pashtuns), and Salm The king of Sarmatians.

Hey, you guys are just incredible! Thanks for the service you guys provide for human kind! Really just thank you! Loce your work

Also worth of remember Cyrus faced the Mesagetae twice, winning the first clash, and losing the second, but the Mesagetae whitdrew when Cambyses II send an army towards the Aral Sea region, thus begining the Persian dominion of the region

An interesting detail about the Scythians that wasn't mentioned is that they might be the source of Greek myths about the Amazons. Modern archaeological excavations of Scythian burial mounds have found large numbers of women that were buried with weapons like the men, and in their bones evidence of war wounds & long lives spent in the saddle.

A very informative report with an impeccable time line , I as informed !

As a side note, I've read that Scythian influence extended into Celtic Europe. The Celts took to wearing trousers and adopted a cult of the head, where the heads of opposing warriors were severed and kept and sometimes displayed in notches in small standing stones.

Before the Mongols, Turks, and Huns, the Scythians ruled the steppes.

Your channel is just incredible all the things I’ve read about and haven’t , having it on here is just incredible. Thank you for your hard work, this is the good part of RU-vid

Your knowledge is very appreciative

Amazing, a very interesting video. Good job!

FYI: the museums in Odesa, Sevastopol, and Simpheropol (but especially the former) have outstanding collections of Scythian gold objects much of it derived from kurgan burials. The materials in Odesa are in fact dazzling.

Rostam is one of the characters in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh from the people of Saka. The name Sistan is derived from these people and many countries in eastern Iran have the word stan. The Soren family was one of these families during the Parthian period.

“Gnome looking pointy hat things” quite a switch up from your usual very articulate dialogue lol.

Very well done guys! Liked as always.

Finally some more nomad-content.

You guys do better than most TV shows with your quality and attention to detail

I am a direct descendants of sarmatian and scythian ancestry,and also celtic ancestry i am proud of both ,and I have a fighting spirit,and warrior code.

I am wondering how would someone watch this content and not liking it, I admire my ancient cousins from Iran, thank you K&G

Ah, Light Horsearcher Spam. OP since Antiquity.

Literally just conquered Crimea setting a colony as rome in rome 2 and I was interested in the Scythians to the north of me. This is why I love your videos and INVICTAS sometimes they just appear like they were personally for me. Keep up the great work

Thank you so much! I love this channel!

Excellent summary! Very clear and interesting. Thank You!!! What a troubled history of constant warfare humanity has experienced!

Again a golden documentary by the best channel on RU-vid. Many Turks believe Scythians are among their ancestors. These exciting videos will open everyone's eyes and hopefully drive people to make much more research. Thank you very much guys!!

The book of Colossians in the New Testament mentions Scythians as well as Barbarians. A very ancient people indeed. Thanks for the video Kings and Generals!

Great documentary. Very informative

Hey there everyone ! In my province Ardabil theres a subdivided part named Meshkin shahr in which these famous burial grounds and the sythian treasures used to be frequent to find ! Its trully amazing to see all these 4000 years old artifacts of intelligent people that used to thrive on the same lands that now we inhabit . The thing is untill recently genocial acts on persian regions are so little that certainly high percentage of those chad nomadic genes are still to be found in nearby cacuses region . Those slavs were soon to eradicate them in the western side of tge caspian sea i bet ...

5:20 "This gnome looking pointy hat things" Oof man, shots fired.

Thank you for this video. Ive always wanted a detailed insight into the great Scythians.

my favorite youtube channel, thanks for all the nice videos and cool stories

Very interesting and helpfull video , thanks a lot for the effort ! :)

We are at a point where every KG video is like an event

I'm addicted to Kings and Generals!!!! 6-7 after video upload.

Very cool thanks for sharing!

Thank you for this video it assisted me within my past life regression.

"Animal style" is when you grill the artifacts with mustard, cheese, and onions directly on the flat top.

Great video, as always. I knew nothing about the Scythians and it was really interesting to learn about them. I don’t know if you guys take suggestions for videos but if you do, I have one for you: I would love to see a video from you about Alexander the Great’s siege of Tyre

Thanks for the great video!

That is gold. Congrats to the team.

Thank you so much for this video! I am absolutely obsessed with the Scythians, and this was a really great watch.

On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria in 1968, a metallurgical complex dating to about 3500 BC was discovered. The most amazing was that the treated ore was not local, but imported by sea !

Great video, thanks!

My Favourite RU-vid channel in the entire World.