Scythia facts for kids
Scythia was an ancient region in the world. It was located in a large grassy area called the Pontic–Caspian steppe. This area is found north of the Black Sea. Scythia was home to the Scythians. They were a group of people who rode horses and moved around a lot. They were also known as nomads.
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Where Did the Name Scythia Come From?
The name Scythia comes from ancient times. The Greeks called this region Skuthia. They also called the people Skuthoi. These Greek names came from the Scythians' own name for themselves. They called themselves Skuδa.
The Land of Scythia
Where Was Scythia Located?
The main part of Scythia was a large kingdom. It stretched from the Don River in the east. In the west, it reached the Danube River. This area was mostly treeless grassland. It was just north of the Black Sea.
North of this grassland was a fertile area. This land had rich black soil. It was a forest-steppe region. People who farmed lived here. The very northern edge of Scythia had thick forests. Many rivers flowed through Scythia. Rivers like the Don and Dnipro went south. They all emptied into the Black Sea.
Scythia's Climate and Landscape
Between the 9th and 5th centuries BC, the weather was cool and dry. This climate helped horse-riding nomads appear. They lived in the northern Black Sea region. Around the 5th century BC, the weather changed. It became warmer and wetter. This allowed the nomads to move deeper into the grasslands.
The good weather meant lots of grass grew. This grass was perfect for raising animals. The nomadic Scythians had large herds. They raised many cattle and horses. There was also a special area called Hylaea. This name meant "the Woodland." It was near the lower Dnipro River. This area was covered with forests. The lands closer to the Black Sea were good for farming.
Who Lived in Scythia?
Before the Scythians arrived, another group lived here. They were called the Agathyrsi. They were also Iranian nomads. They were related to the Scythians. When the Scythians moved in, the Agathyrsi moved west. They left their home near the Sea of Azov. They went into the Carpathian mountains.
Later, in the late 4th century BC, new people arrived. They were the Sarmatians. They were also Iranian nomads. They came from the east. The Sarmatians became the main power in the region. They replaced the Scythians. Because of this, the area was later called "European Sarmatia."
Scythia's Wider Meaning
During the Hellenistic period, the name "Scythia" grew. Greeks and Romans used it for a larger area. It included all the southern Russian steppe. It also meant the entire treeless grassland. This area stretched from the Danube in the west. It went all the way to China in the east.
Today, when experts say "Scythian," they mean the nomadic Iranian people. These people ruled the Pontic steppe from the 7th to the 3rd century BC. The name "Scythia" describes this specific region. It was the home of the Scythians.
See also
In Spanish: Escitia para niños
- Sarmatia
