The Scythians: The First Nomadic Horse Archers of History

The Scythians were the first nomadic horse-riding archers recorded in history, emerging from the vast steppes of Central Asia to shape the course of ancient civilizations. Flourishing from China to the shores of the Black Sea, they dominated the region for roughly seven centuries, from around 900 BC to 200 BC. Despite their far-reaching influence, they left no written records of their own. Instead, much of what we know about them comes from the accounts of their adversaries and neighbors—the Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks.