Crimean Scythians. What can be found in the Crimea: from the Scythians to the empire. Scythians in Crimea: area and ethnic composition

One of the interesting pages in the history of Crimea is the dominance of the Scythians over most of its territory.

Legends about the origin of the Scythian state

The Scythians came to the steppes of the Northern Black Sea region in the VIII-VII centuries. BC. Several tribes stood out among them, and their relations were hierarchical. The territory of the oldest tribe, according to Herodotus, included the northern, flat part of Crimea. Also, his "royal", as Herodotus called them, possessions included Northern Tavria and Northern Azov Sea to the east to the Don. It was, according to the "father of history", "the most valiant and most numerous Scythian tribe. These Scythians consider other Scythians to be subject to them.

In the Crimea, the "royal possessions" of the Scythians extended south to the lands controlled by the Greek colony of Chersonesos, and east to the isthmus separating the Kerch Peninsula from most of the Crimean. On the Kerch Peninsula itself, the power of the Greek Bosporan kingdom was already in effect.

The Scythians themselves had a legend about the origin of royal power, in which we can easily recognize the motive of later Russian fairy tales. Once the Scythians were ruled by King Targitai, who had a semi-divine origin. He had three sons: Lipoksai, Arpoksai and Kolaksai. "Xai" is an Iranian word for supreme power. From him, according to some scientists, the Russian "tsar" comes from.

When it was time for Targitai to die, the question of succession to power arose. Here, according to the myth, four golden objects fell from the sky: a bowl, an ax, a plow and a yoke. When the eldest of the princes came up to take these golden things, they blazed. The same thing happened when the middle brother approached them. And only the youngest managed to take them. The brothers saw this as a sign from heaven and agreed to give the kingdom to their younger brother.

Subsequently, according to Herodotus, Kolaksay divided the Scythian kingdom between his three sons. Of course, these myths do not reflect the real development of social institutions among the Scythians in that period. The Scythians were still nomads, they lived in a tribal system, statehood and public authority were in their infancy.

The emergence of the Scythian kingdom in the Crimea. Naples Scythian

At the turn of the IV and III centuries. BC. in the "royal possessions" of the Scythians, an early state begins to take shape. According to archeological data, this was accompanied by the settling of the Scythians on the ground, their departure from nomadic life, and the transition to agriculture. One must think that initially slaves from outsiders worked on the earth, and only gradually the impoverished ordinary Scythians joined them. As in all societies of this transitional type, the preservation of a nomadic life instead of "picking in the ground" served as the main attribute of a free person for a long time.

At the beginning of the III century BC. the Sarmatian tribes who came from behind the Don invaded the lands of the Scythians. They ousted the Scythians from most of their territory in the Northern Black Sea region. This contributed to the consolidation of the Scythians in their ancient "royal possessions". At the same time, the Scythians borrowed from the Greeks the custom of building fortresses and the urban way of life. The capital of the Scythian kingdom arises - Naples (New City) Scythian, as the Greeks called it (the name suggests that there was an Old City, but we don’t know anything about it). Nowadays, its remains can be seen at the ancient settlement of Kermenchik near Simferopol.

Scythian Naples existed for at least six centuries. Among its inhabitants, judging by the excavations, there are gradually inhabitants different peoples: Greeks, Sarmatians, Roxolans, etc. The burials reveal strong social differences. The nobility buried the dead in rich graves carved into the rock, or in a mausoleum near the walls of the city. The middle layers had their own city cemetery, and the dead poor were buried outside the city. As you can see, the Scythians left far behind their ancient custom of cremation and erection of high burial mounds. Therefore, we still cannot even say for sure which burials in Scythian Naples belong specifically to the kings.

Major events

However, in general, we know almost nothing about the internal structure of the Scythian kingdom in the Crimea, except that it was, apparently, monarchical. This is indicated literally by only one or two events, of which only the names of the Scythian kings are known.

Under the onslaught of the Sarmatians, the Scythian kingdom, in turn, was forced to expand its possessions in the Crimea. First of all, at the expense of Chersonesos, who owned vast lands in the western part of the Crimea and surrounded them with a wall. History of the Scythian kingdom III-II centuries. BC. - the history of his ongoing wars with Chersonesos, in which the preponderance as a whole leaned towards the Scythians. Their possessions increased, the possessions of the Greeks decreased. At the very end of the 2nd century, the Scythians approached the city directly. The power of the Crimean Scythians extended at that time to the point that the Greek colony of Olbia at the mouth of the Southern Bug became their protectorate.

Under these conditions, the Chersonesians turned for help to the king of Pontus (who then also belonged to the neighboring Bosporan kingdom) Mithridates VI Eupator. In 110-107 years. BC. his commander Diophantus defeated the Scythians and took their capital Naples. Chersonese was returned to its former possessions in the Western Crimea. The king of the Scythians Skilur and his eldest son Palak fell in battle, his other sons were deprived of power, Scythia was occupied and deprived of independence.

But then the Romans intervened. Under their diplomatic pressure, the Pontians returned power to the heirs of Skilur. Later, during the wars with Rome, the Pontic kingdom was destroyed, and Scythia gained independence. True, incomplete, since from now on and for many centuries it was limited by the supreme sovereignty of Rome. In this state, the Scythian kingdom comfortably existed for another four centuries, until at the end of the 4th century AD, the Alans fell under the blows (together with the neighboring Bosporan kingdom).

Firstly, not far from the city of Sevastopol, you can find a token from MDRegion, which has been sadly lying in the ground for the second month and can’t wait for the one who discovers it and receives a well-deserved prize - a metal detector. I'll give you a little tip: if you go perpendicular to the road to the place where the token was laid, straight from the road, you can easily find it. I think that soon a lucky person will appear who will find the long-awaited token.

Secondly, in the Crimea there are many other objects for a successful treasure hunter. Many people ask me where to look. And what exactly to look for.

If you want to search by a specific era, the cards are in your hands. The Internet is a huge library where you can find historical books and articles, and even, if you wish, you can easily enter the online library of the Taurida National Historical Institute. There are many dissertations and articles from distinguished historians.

In short, Crimea has everything! Different eras, starting with the Scythians, ending with the Great Patriotic War. The main thing is to know the places.

Crimea. Ruins of the citadel of Mangul-Kale

But I want to warn you: basically, on the territory of the peninsula, most interesting places for detecting are located on the territory of archaeological sites and other historical heritage. And by law, digging is prohibited. Therefore, many are afraid that a hobby will only bring problems, and in the future only handcuffs and a large fine await the digger.

Of course, if you dig up and open Scythian mounds, or engage in excavations approved by neither the museum nor the state on the territory of ancient Chersonesus, then even comments are not required. The least that threatens you is a court and, as a result, a colossal fine.

However, there are places where you can really dig. You just need to agree with the owner of the land - and go ahead. If you are interested in a modern "walker", Jewelry there are always beaches. From there, no one will definitely drive you away, unless there may be a conflict with local diggers, who divided the entire territory a long time ago. But you are not violating anything: the coastal zone is not an archaeological monument, so you can dig. Here they search according to the rule: who did not have time, he was late.

Antiquity

First of all, my friends, who are keen on instrumental search, as well as visitors to forums and pages in social networks, ask about antiques. Where to look for it? The closest place in Sevastopol in terms of distance is the village of Khmelnitskoye, Chernaya Rechka, Chernorechensky Reserve. Further, the so-called "Roman road" or Kalendskaya path, which in ancient times connected two Roman garrisons - in Chersonese and in the fortress of Kharaks on Cape Ai-Todor, where the "Swallow's Nest" is now located.

After the departure of the Romans from the Crimea, their material heritage continued to be actively used. According to some reports, during the time of the Crimean Khanate, the population of the Baidar Valley had to maintain the Roman roads in order, for which they were exempted from taxes. So that the artifacts-coins of the khanate can be found.

Approximate map of the Roman road

At the time of the conquest of the Crimea by the Tatars, the coastal part of the peninsula (Chersonesos, Sugdea, or Sudak, Bosporus) was under the rule of Byzantium, and the northern steppe part belonged to the Polovtsy, who took tribute from Greek cities and used Greek harbors for the export of slaves and for the acquisition of foreign goods.

In the mountainous part of Crimea, the small principality of Gothia, or Dori, was located in vassal dependence on Byzantium, with its center on the site of the present Eski-Kermen and with the strong fortress of Theodoro, or Mangup-Kale.

Scythians

Let's go back a little. During the time of the Persian king Darius (550-486 BC), the steppe Crimea was inhabited by the Scythians and belonged to them. This conclusion follows from that part of the story of the Greek historian Herodotus, where he tells about the preparation of the Scythians for war. The Taurians, who, according to the works of Herodotus, inhabited the mountainous and foothill Crimea, could be neighbors of the Scythians only if the latter belonged to the steppe part of the peninsula.

The Scythians are usually divided into four tribes. Scythian herders lived in the Bug river basin; between the Bug and the Dnieper - the Scythians-farmers; to the south of them - nomadic Scythians; between the Dnieper and the Don - the royal Scythians. The center of royal Scythia was the basin of the Konka River, where the city of Gerras was located. Crimea was also the territory of the settlement of the most powerful tribe of the Scythians - the royal ones.

Scythian settlements

The Scythian kingdom in the Crimea lasted until the second half of the 3rd century. AD and was destroyed by the Goths. The Scythians finally lost their independence and ethnic identity, dissolving among the tribes of the Great Migration of Nations.

War trophies

The Russian Empress Catherine II in 1783 signed a manifesto on the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire. And in 1853 the Crimean War began. Cause Crimean War there were clashes of interests between Russia, England, France and Austria in the Middle East and the Balkans. Leading European countries sought to divide Turkish possessions in order to expand spheres of influence and markets. Turkey sought to take revenge for previous defeats in the wars with Russia.

The reason for the war was a dispute between the Orthodox and Catholic clergy about the ownership of "Palestinian shrines" (the Bethlehem Church and the Church of the "Holy Sepulcher"). Enlightened Europe, together with the Russian Empire, insisted on the return of the holy places to Christians, and the Turks did not want to lose territories at all. And in the end, they declared war.

Heroic defense of Sevastopol.

During the Crimean War, many soldiers died, both Russian and allied. The battle on the Alba River, the Inkerman battle, the Balaklava massacre, where all the English nobility died. There are many places where battles and stops of the English, French and Turkish troops took place. Even if you walk with a metal detector along the vineyards, following directly to the great mountain Sapun, you can find both iron debris and a French soldier's button, or a fraction of an English musket.

General plan of siege works near Sevastopol in 1854-55.

So, let's sum up. What can be found on the territory of the peninsula? Much: Scythian arrowheads, Roman denarii, silver dirhams and copper pools of the Golden Horde, Catherine's "pyataks" and other artifacts and coins. Crimea is full of amazing historical finds.

P.S. Before you go looking, look where to look, check old maps. But don't forget the laws! And do not destroy the cultural layer. Good luck.

Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

Sevastopol State Technical University.

Department of Philosophical and Social Sciences.

Abstract on the topic:

"Crimean Scythia"

Completed:

student of group P-12d

Kvasov Evgeny Alexandrovich.

Checked:

Kukhnikova Tatyana Konstantinovna

Sevastopol - 2001

Introduction.

1. The appearance of the Scythians in the Crimea. Formation of the Scythian state.

2. Social system, state structure and political history of the Scythian kingdom.

3. Weapons, dishes, culture and art of the Scythians.

4. Burials.

5. Scythian settlements in the Crimea.

6. The death of the Scythian state in the Crimea.

Conclusion.

Bibliography.

All together they are called skoloty by the name of the king; The Greeks called them Scythians ...

Introduction.

Crimea is not only the land of unique routes and magnificent beaches, fertile climate and numerous resorts and camp sites. A small piece of land, like an old treasure chest, keeps a wide variety of historical monuments. Each passing century added new gems to the treasury of the peninsula. Not all, of course, but many of them have survived to our time.

Among the numerous tribes and peoples that lived in the Crimea hundreds and thousands of years ago, a special place is occupied by the Scythians, who in the 7th century. BC e. - III century. n. e. played a major role in the historical fate of the south of the European part of our country, as well as Western, Central and Central Asia, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. The memory of the Scythians, the invincible warlike people of horse archers, has been preserved for many centuries after their disappearance in traditions, legends, historical chronicles and toponyms.

Today we are quite clearly aware of the inseparable connection, the interconnection of nature and society. In ancient times natural conditions and climate decisively influenced the way of life, the economic system, the material and partly spiritual culture of the human collective. The Scythians were no exception in this regard.

The territory where the carriers of the Scythian culture once lived is very extensive. There is no doubt that it included the steppes of the Black Sea, Ciscaucasia, and possibly other regions. Crimea was a small but very important part of this vast territory. The Scythians lived here for about a thousand years. The peninsula, which in the first centuries of our era was called Scythia Minor, remained the last relatively large "island" of the Scythian culture in the later period of its existence. The study of the Scythian monuments in the Crimea provides a unique opportunity to get an almost complete chronological "section" of the Scythian culture, to present it quite fully, comprehensively.

The culture of the Scythians of Crimea has been studied by archaeologists and historians for many decades. The main purpose of my abstract is to get acquainted with the main results of this work.

1. The appearance of the Scythians in the Crimea. Formation of the Scythian state.

The Scythians are first mentioned in the sources as members of the anti-Assyrian coalition of the 70s. 7th century BC However, this event was preceded by the appearance of the Scythians in Western Asia, and the expulsion of the Cimmerians from the Northern Black Sea region by them. According to historical tradition, the Scythians were forced out of southern Siberia by their eastern neighbors - the Massagets and occupied the vast expanses of the steppes between the Danube and the Don. The territory of residence of the Scythians was called Scythia by ancient authors. According to one of the widespread hypotheses, the ancestors of the Scythians were the tribes of the so-called log culture .

Having settled on a vast territory, the Scythians created an original culture that had a significant impact on neighboring tribes, primarily on the population of the steppe and forest-steppe zones north of the Black Sea (mainly along the course of the Middle Dnieper, Upper Don and Kuban). In the area of the Scythian culture dating back to the 7th-3rd centuries. BC, there are many local variants associated with both Scythian and non-Scythian peoples. Ancient authors used the ethnonym "Scythians" in relation to the entire ethno-cultural community, which was made up of tribes that differed from each other in terms of language and economic structure. However, directly under the ethnonym "Scythians" should be understood first of all the nomadic Scythians.

Following the Cimmerians, the Scythians made a series of campaigns from the Northern Black Sea region to Transcaucasia and the Middle East. Their main road was the Caspian way through the Derbent passage, sometimes other pass paths were also used. Naturally, not all the population of the steppe zone of the Northern Black Sea region and Ciscaucasia went with the Scythian hordes to Western Asia. Part of it remained and it is possible that the departed maintained some contact with remaining.

During their stay in Western Asia and Asia Minor, the Scythians fought with Assyria, Media, and the Neo-Babylonian kingdom. Repeatedly changing allies, the Scythians for several decades terrified the local population - according to Herodotus, “they devastated everyone with their riot and excesses. They charged every nation the tribute they imposed, but in addition to the tribute, they raided and robbed, which every nation had ". The military and political activity of the Scythians in Asia lasted until the beginning of the 6th century. BC, when, defeated by Media, they returned to their lands.

From the moment the Scythians returned from Western Asia, the actual Scythian period began in the history of the southern Russian steppes, about which more or less reliable information has been preserved in ancient sources. Returning from campaigns, the Scythians formed the dominant group of nomads, the so-called "royal Scythians", who considered the rest of the Scythians their slaves. It was they who formed the core of the emerging state, the center of which was in the lower reaches of the Dnieper.

At the end of the IV century. BC. The Scythian state suffered a number of defeats in the wars on the Balkan Peninsula. The power of the Scythians was undermined. The active displacement of the Scythians from the Northern Black Sea region began in the 3rd century. BC, when a new powerful tribal union of the Sarmatians was formed in the historical arena.

Having lost under the pressure of the Sarmatians vast steppe spaces in the Northern Black Sea region, concentrating on the Lower Dnieper and in the Crimea, the Scythians gradually turned into sedentary farmers and pastoralists living in permanent long-term settlements. Fundamental changes in the economy led to significant innovations in the way of life, in material culture, in social relations and religious ideas, and in many respects influenced the political history of the Scythians. All this gives grounds to distinguish its last, late stage (III century BC - III century AD), which is fundamentally different from the previous ones. In the Crimea, the Scythians settled in the river valleys, which originated on the northern slopes of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains and flowed in the north, flowing into the Black Sea or Sivash. The main ridge served as a natural southern boundary for the distribution of Late Scythian settlements. In the east, the possibilities for settlement were limited by the Ak-Monai isthmus, along which the border of the Bosporan kingdom probably passed. The western coast of Crimea at the time of the emergence of the late Scythian settlements was colonized by Chersonesus. From the north, Crimea is naturally bounded by the Perekop Isthmus. But, as some events in the political history of the Scythians show, there was no clear boundary between them and other tribes in the steppe.

In 339 BC King Atey died in the war with the Macedonian king Philip II. In 331 BC Zopyrion, governor of Alexander the Great in Thrace, invaded the western possessions of the Scythians, laid siege to Olbia, but the Scythians destroyed his army. By the end of the III century. BC. The power of the Scythians was significantly reduced under the onslaught of the Sarmatians, who came from behind the Don. The capital of the Scythians was moved to the Crimea, where on the Salgir River (near Simferopol) the Scythian city of Naples arose, probably founded by Tsar Skilur. In addition to the Crimea, the Scythians continued to hold lands in the lower reaches of the Dnieper and the Bug.

As a result of the above events, by the end of the III century. BC e. the Late Scythian state was formed.

2. Social system, state structure and political history of the Scythian kingdom.

Social structure and state structure.

In Scythia, the dominant position was occupied by the royal Scythians. They constituted the main force during military campaigns. In the early stages of their history, the royal Scythians obviously represented an alliance of tribes, each of which had its own territory and was under the rule of its king. Such a division of the tribes is reflected in the story of three formations of the Scythian army during the war with Darius I. Moreover, the leader of the largest and most powerful military formation of the Scythians, Idanfirs, was considered the eldest.

The royal Scythians considered themselves "the best and most numerous." The rest of the tribes depended on this dominant group. This dependence was expressed in the payment of tribute.

The form of dependence of the subject peoples on the royal Scythians was different. The degree of ethnic kinship could have a direct impact on the nature of relations, when peoples close in ethnicity and culture were in a more privileged position than ethnically alien ones.

From the moment it appeared on the historical arena, the Scythian society acted as a complex formation. An important role was played by the tribal structure, but gradually its foundations were similar and modified by the growth of private property, property inequality, the emergence of a rich aristocratic elite, the strong power of the king and his squad.

The basis of the Scythian society was a small individual family, whose property was cattle and household property. But the families were different. Wealthy families had more herds, while at the same time there were families so impoverished that they could not provide an independent nomadic economy due to the small number of livestock.

The Scythians were headed by kings and tribal elders, who also led military units. The power of the kings was hereditary and strong enough. There was a belief about the divine origin of the royal family. The kings also performed judicial functions. Disobedience to the order of the king was punishable by death. The closest circle of the king was his personal team, consisting of the best warriors.

To a certain extent, the power of the king was limited by the institutions of the tribal system. The highest legislative body was the people's assembly - the "council of the Scythians", which had the right to remove the kings and appoint new ones from among the members of the royal family.

The Scythian nobility and kings understood that the property of the Scythians largely depended on the preservation of the democratic traditions of the military tribal organization, and sought to preserve them.

The bulk of the Scythian population were free warriors. In peacetime, they grazed cattle, cultivated the land, and were engaged in handicraft production or trade. They had personal livestock, various property and even slaves. In wartime, all men became warriors. They went on a campaign with their weapons and equipment. Separate detachments were made up of free warriors under the command of the nobility. Any free warrior could become a military leader if he showed personal courage and courage. Then he received land and he had his own detachment, the soldiers of which settled on his lands. Free warriors had many political rights. In periods that were especially responsible for the state, they gathered the “council of the Scythians”.

A separate category of the population was the priests - Enarei. It was believed that the goddess Aphrodite punished them with the gift of providence. They were servants of various gods, performed religious rites and sacrifices. In addition, they were engaged in healing, fortune telling, were advisers to leaders, they were turned to for help in the most difficult situations.

In the economy of nomads, the labor of slaves is very inconvenient to use. Therefore, the Scythians had few slaves. The Scythians usually sold all captured slaves to other countries. Only a few of them were mutilated so that they could not escape and used in domestic work. Among the Scythians - farmers and artisans, slavery was much more widespread. But they also contained only a few of the most skilled slaves. After certain period, a slave could be released into the wild, or made him a member of the family and left to live as a free person. Scythians who committed serious crimes, showed cowardice and betrayal, or simply angered the king, could also become slaves. Such slaves were not left in Scythia, but were usually sold immediately. Slaves - Scythians were willingly bought by the Greeks, who replenished their armies with them, since all Scythians were considered excellent archers.

Not to mention friendship. The oath of friendship among the Scythians was sealed with blood. For this, wine was poured into the cup. The warriors, swearing friendship to each other, cut the skin on their arm and poured a few drops into this bowl. Then they took turns drinking from it. The most respected tribesmen were usually invited to such a ceremony. They were witnesses and also drank from the cup. An oath sealed with blood was considered sacred. Thus, friends became blood relatives. This obligated them to help each other, not to leave in trouble and fight for each other in battle. Since the Scythians spent almost all the time in the war, the oath of friendship played a very important role in society. Blood friends, fighting side by side in battle, could not betray or flee from the battlefield. Blood friendship was one of important factors the invincibility of the Scythians.

Political history of the Scythian kingdom.

At the time when the Scythians settled in the Crimean foothills, the western coast of the peninsula belonged to Chersonese. Already in the III century. BC. The Scythians launched an active attack on the settlements of the Chersonesos Hora, and thus began a series of Scythian-Chersonese wars that stretched until the end of the 2nd century BC. BC. The claims of the Scythians were not limited to Chersonese. In the II century. BC. for a short time Olbia obeyed them. Almost nothing is known about the circumstances of the subordination of this policy and the forms of its dependence. But to say that Olbia in the II century. BC. was part of the late Scythian state can be quite confident. The best proof of this fact is the finds of coins that were minted in Olbia on behalf of the Scythian king Skilur. Thus, it can be argued that in the III-II centuries. BC. Scythians played an extremely active role in the economic and political life of the Northern Black Sea region. At the same time, when resolving disputes with their neighbors, they often acted from a position of strength and usually successfully.

The situation changed radically at the end of the second century. BC. By this time, the Scythians probably approached the very walls of Chersonesus more than once. In any case, they destroyed and set on fire many fortified estates that belonged to the citizens of this policy and located in its immediate vicinity - on the Herakleian Peninsula. The Chersonesites, feeling their powerlessness before the barbarian invasion, turned for help to the king of Pontus, Mithridates VI Eupator. He sent soldiers to help Chersonesos, led by his best commander Diophantus. Further events developed rapidly. Skilur's son Palak unexpectedly attacked the Pontic army, but was put to flight. After that, Diophantus went to the Bosporus. After returning from there, he strengthened his detachment at the expense of the Chersonesites and made a trip deep into Scythia, conquering the royal fortresses of Khabei and Naples. Obviously, having decided that the deed was done, Diophantus returned to Pontus. However, the Scythians quickly captured the lost lands, which forced the famous commander to come to Crimea again. He tried once again to subjugate the royal fortresses, but at first he did not succeed. Then Diophantus moved to the North-Western Crimea, owned Kerkinitida, some other fortifications and proceeded to the siege of Kalos Limen. At this time, Palak, having gathered a large army, reinforced by the Sarmatian tribe of the Roxolans, allied to the Scythians, once again tried to tip the scales to his side. The battle ended with the defeat of the Scythians. Diophantus again moved to Khabei and Naples, but it remains unknown whether he captured them this time. It seemed that the Crimean Scythia was dealt a mortal blow. Diophantus went to the Bosporus and there participated in an act of great political significance: the Bosporan king Perisades abdicated in favor of the king of Pontus Mithridates VI Eupator. Probably, it was this event that led to the uprising of the Scythians who lived in the Bosporus. They killed Perisades and would have done the same to Diophantus if he had not escaped on a ship sent for him by the Chersonesites. The unfavorable course of events did not break the stubbornness of Mithridates VI Eupator. A year later, he again sends Diophantus to the Crimea, who defeated the rebels, captured their leader Savmak and thus returned the Bosporus to the power of Mithridates VI Eupator. Probably, the late Scythian kingdom, unlike the Bosporus, was not attached to Pontus, but turned out to be dependent on it.

Unsuccessful wars with Rome led to the loss of Mithridates' hopes. In the end, even the troops loyal to him before rebelled, and his own son Farnak led this uprising. The terrible king hid in the palace on the acropolis of Panticapaeum and ordered the head of the guard to stab himself. It happened in 63 BC. e. The Pontic kingdom collapsed. The Scythians, of course, were free from an alliance with him.

After the collapse of the Pontic state, the Scythians almost disappeared from the field of view of ancient authors. They, apparently, temporarily renounced their claims to Chersonesus, but retained almost the entire chora of this policy, except for the Herakleian Peninsula. They continue to live on the sites of former Greek settlements, and have a very rich life, as evidenced by powerful cultural layers. Continue, and without any interruption, to function the old settlements in the central and southwestern Crimea (Naples, Kermen-Kyr, Bulganak, Ust-Alma, etc.). New settlements are emerging, and one of them is Alma-Kermen in the valley of the Alma River near the village. Cherished - obviously, immediately after the Diophantine wars. Vast necropolises with hundreds of burials are associated with many settlements. All this suggests that the defeat from the troops of Diophantus did not weaken the Scythians too much. It is known, for example, that almost immediately after the death of Mithridates, the Scythians took part in the internecine war for the throne of the Bosporus. Probably, restless western neighbors forced the Bosporan kings to line up on the line with them in the middle of the 1st century. BC. powerful fortress Ilurat (on the Kerch Peninsula, near the modern village of Ivanovka), apparently on time, because at the end of the 1st - beginning of the 2nd century. AD, the kings of the Bosporus - first Sauromates I, and then Kotis II - were noted in special inscriptions for the victory over the Scythians. In the 1st century AD the Scythians were so strong that they could conduct military operations on two fronts: both against the Bosporus and against Chersonesos. They firmly held in their hands the former choir of Chersonesus - the North-Western Crimea. No wonder the author of the ancient description of the Black Sea coast, Arrian, calls Kerkinitida and Kalos Limen Scythian. His information is clearly confirmed by archeological data: in the settlements located in the northwest, powerful cultural layers dating back to the 1st century BC have accumulated. BC. - I century. AD We do not have such detailed sources about this time as about the era of Mithridates, but one can guess that this time Chersonesus turned out to be powerless before the Scythians. Its citizens were forced to seek help from the ruler of the Roman province of Moesia, Tiberius Plautius Silvanus. It was he, about 63 AD, as his tombstone says, "... drove the king of the Scythians away from Chersonesos ..." and left a garrison in the city, relieving the citizens from the claims of their neighbors.

By the time the Scythians clashed with the Romans, their society had undergone major changes, compared, for example, with the era of Skilur's reign.

3. Weapons, dishes, culture and art of the Scythians.

The warlike life was reflected in the animal style, i.e. in images of strong and fast animals stylized in a certain way. A similar animal style is contained in the story of the palace of King Skil and Olbia. This palace was decorated with images of sphinxes and griffins. These and other fantastic beasts are known in various images of the animal style, the former, for example, on plaques, the latter on a variety of ubiquitous items from jewelry on horse harness to sewn-on gold plaques on clothes.

Weapons - the most important part of the lifetime use and grave goods of the Scythian aristocrat and free community member - war. But it is enough to recall the images of simple warriors and leaders on samples of Greek toreutics, like the Kulob or Voronezh vase, and at that hour we will see pointed leather hoods, which, of course, played the role of leather helmets, and obviously quilted leather sleeveless jackets, which also played the role of armor . This is not surprising: almost all historical peoples went through the use of leather helmets and armor before getting comfortable with metal ones. Scythian was a mounted archer. The bow and arrow is his main weapon.

The bow was made of wood and sinew. Legends surrounded Scythian shooting. Some myths claimed that some Scythian taught Hercules to shoot, who was a hero - an archer. In one of the legends about the origin of the Scythians, on the contrary, Hercules brought his bow to Scythia and bequeathed it to one of the three sons born to him from a half-woman - a half-snake, the daughter of the Borisfen River. The bow went to the smaller of them Skiff. The oldest Scythian arrows are flat, often with a spike on the sleeve. The arrows are made of bronze. They were produced in huge numbers, probably due to the simplicity of their casting.

Quite a lot in common in costumes for both women and men. The men's costume consisted of a leather sleeveless jacket - a shell, the sleeves of a soft shirt came out of it, the pants went down to the ankle, where they ended over soft leather half boots without heels, fitted at the same ankle with a belt. Women's costume is a long pleated dress. On the head is often a soft veil, falling to the waist.

A lot of wooden utensils were made. Scythian ceramics is made without the help of a potter's wheel. Scythian vessels are flat-bottomed and varied in shape. Scythian bronze cauldrons up to a meter high, which had a long and thin leg and two vertical handles, were widely used.

Scythian art is well known mainly from objects from burials. It is characterized by the depiction of animals in certain poses and with exaggeratedly noticeable paws, eyes, claws, horns, ears, etc. Ungulates were depicted with bent legs, predators - curled up in a ring. AT Scythian art presents strong or fast and sensitive animals. It is noted that some images are associated with certain Scythian deities. The figures of these animals, as it were, protected their owner from trouble. claws, tails and shoulder blades of predators were often shaped like the head of a bird of prey; sometimes full images of animals were placed on these places. This artistic style was called the animal style.

The Scythian culture was more widespread than the area of settlement of the Scythians. The influence of the Scythian way of life on the neighboring tribes was enormous. In addition to the animal style, forms of Scythian weapons, some tools and a number of decorations penetrated the neighbors. But there are also significant differences, which are reflected in the form of dwellings and settlements, in the form of burial structures, in funeral rites, and in ceramics.

4. Burials.

The most famous are the Scythian burials. The Scythians buried the dead in pits or in catacombs, under mounds. The burial rite of the Scythian kings is described by Herodotus. When the king died, his body was carried along the Scythian roads for a relatively long time, and the Scythians had to express their sadness in every possible way over the death of the lord. Then the king's body was brought to Gerra, they put it in a grave pit along with his murdered wife, murdered servants, horses, and poured a huge mound over it.

In general, the Scythian imagined the afterlife as a kind of repetition of the real one. He was provided enough to remain the same as he was here, a king, a warrior, a servant. social orders on the other side of death seemed to the Scythian unchanged, earthly. The laws of religion were observed strictly. Apostasy was punishable by death.

In the royal burial mounds of the Scythians, gold vessels, artistic items made of gold, and expensive weapons are found. Most of these mounds were robbed in antiquity.

The oldest Scythian burial mounds date back to the 6th century BC. BC. Melgunovsky near Kirovograd belongs to the archaic burial mounds. In it was found an iron sword in a golden scabbard, which depicts winged lions shooting from bows, and winged bulls with human faces.

From VI-V centuries. BC. things from Scythian mounds reflect ties with the Greeks. There is no doubt that some, and the most artistic things, were made by the Greeks.

Kurgan Chertomlyk is located near Nikopol. The height of its earthen embankment with a stone plinth is 20 m. It hid a deep shaft with four chambers at the corners. Through one of these chambers there was a passage to the burial of the king, robbed by the Scythians, but the gold lining of the bow case lying in the cache, which depicts scenes from the life of Achilles, slipped away from the robbers. Burial of a concubine The king was not robbed. Her skeleton with gold decorations lay on the remains of a wooden hearse. Nearby they found a large silver basin, next to which stood a silver vase, about 1 m high. It was a vessel for wine and equipped with taps in the form of lion and horse heads at the bottom. The vase depicts plants and birds, and above, Scythians decorating horses. The images are made in the traditions of Greek art.

The mound Tolstaya Mogila (located 10 km from the mound Chertomlyk) contained the richest burial with many gold items, despite the fact that it was also robbed in antiquity. The most noteworthy is a sword in a golden sheath and a pectoral - a neck and breast decoration.

The most remarkable of all works of jewelry art is the pectoral. It is massive, its weight is more than 1 kg, its diameter is more than 30 cm. It has three zones of images separated by golden cords. In the upper (inner) belt - scenes of Scythian life, in the center - two naked men sewing fur clothes, stretching out their sleeves. To the right and left of them - a horse with a foal, and at the ends of the composition - birds flying in different directions.

The middle tier is represented by a floral ornament made on a solid plate.

The bottom tier is filled with animal fighting. The figures are made individually, and then they are attached to their places, as they move away from the center of the composition, they decrease (see appendix)

In terms of artistic performance and the number of images, the pectoral has no equal.

In the Scythian burial mounds, there is a strong property stratification. There are mounds small and huge, some burials without things, others - with a huge amount of gold.

Property equality is so strong here that the conclusion about the turbulent process of class formation suggests itself.

So the listed phenomena of the history of Scythia contributed to widespread common forms of material culture and accelerated the development of a society that still retained many primitive features. The Scythians created their art. Much of it has entered the world Russian culture.

5. Scythian settlements in the Crimea.

The Scythians, in all likelihood, founded the very first settlement on the Crimean land on the outskirts of modern Simferopol. Later, a city arose on this site, the future capital of the late Scythian state. The location of the city simplified the task of its defense as much as possible. From the east it was bounded by the cliffs of the Petrovsky rocks, from the north and west by the steep slopes of the Petrovsky Balka. There was no natural protection from the south. It is clear that it was here that a powerful defensive wall was erected, which cut off the territory of the settlement from the plateau. It was a powerful defensive structure - probably between the cliff and the slope of the beam. In the lower part, which was supposed to withstand the blows of wall-beating machines, the wall was made of very large limestone slabs, and in the upper part, which protected the defenders from arrows and stones fired from a sling, it was made of raw (not burned, but only dried in the sun) bricks . The defensive wall was repeatedly rebuilt, thickening more and more. By the end of the II century. BC, when the Scythians were in great danger from external enemies, its thickness became very impressive. The wall was fortified with several towers. Excavations revealed the entrance to the city and the remains of a wooden gate. Behind the gate was a small square, never built up, covered with a layer of lime chips. On the opposite side of the gate, the square was limited to a building built in a purely Greek style. Porticos gave it a special flavor - galleries closed on three sides with walls, the overlap of which was supported by rows of columns located along the facade. Sculptures and slabs with inscriptions, fragments of which were found during excavations, stood near this building or in it itself. In the area of the square there were several more rich houses. Their walls were built of stone, plastered from the inside and, in some cases, ornamented with frescoes, the roofs were covered with tiles. The floors were most often adobe, but sometimes wooden, as cellars carved into the rock were found under some houses. This is the appearance of the capital of the late Scythian state in the 2nd century BC. BC, in that still very small part of it, which was discovered by excavations.

Approximately simultaneously with the settlement, the ruins of which were preserved on the outskirts of modern Simferopol, and a little later - at the turn of the III - II centuries BC. - two other powerful late Scythian fortresses arose. One of them was located 6 km north of Simferopol, on the outskirts of the village of Mirny, on a hill overlooking the Salgir valley. The ruins of this fortress were called Kermen-Kyr. The remains of another fortification, the so-called. The Bulganak settlement is located 15 km west of Simferopol near the village of Pozharsky, on a hill that borders the valley of the Western Bulganak River from the south. The question arises about the ancient names of the described fortresses. Four late Scythian fortresses are mentioned in Strabo's "Geography" and in inscriptions: Naples, Khabei, Palakiy and Napit. Archaeologically, the four largest Late Scythian settlements have been studied in more or less detail - Kermenchik, Kermen-Kyr, Bulganak, and Ust-Alma, which, apparently, is what Strabo and in the inscriptions mean. But it is not possible to identify any of the settlements with one of the names with full credibility. The hypotheses are different, but none of the authors managed to find decisive arguments. True, most scientists believe that the capital of the Scythians, located on the site of the current Simferopol, was called Naples.

6. The death of the Scythian state in the Crimea.

By the time the Scythians clashed with the Romans, their society had undergone major changes, compared, for example, with the era of Skilur's reign. And if there are almost no sources about the sphere of social relations and, strictly speaking, one cannot be sure even of the very existence of the late Scythian state, then our knowledge of ethnic transformations is more extensive.

Studies of funeral rites, features of material culture, anthropological characteristics show that the basis of the inhabitants of the late Scythian settlements in the first centuries of our era were the descendants of the Scythians, who roamed the north Black Sea steppes in the 7th-4th centuries. BC e. However, this array absorbed significant components of other ethnic groups. The Sarmatians played a significant role in this. From written sources it is known about their political connections with the late Scythians, but contacts were not limited to this. The Sarmatians became residents of late Scythian settlements. Attempts have been made to trace the waves of Sarmatian migrations to the territory of the Late Scythian state. Burials in decks, sprinkling graves with chalk or coal, the design of some burial structures, especially side-pit graves, the position of the dead with their legs crossed at the shins or with their hands folded on their stomachs, a partial change in the orientation of the buried from latitudinal to meridional, and other signs make it possible to trace the presence of Sarmatians archaeologically . It is impossible not to notice that by the first centuries of our era, the traditional Scythian weapons were completely replaced by Sarmatians, new elements of the costume appeared, for example, the edges of dresses began to be sheathed with beads, as was the case with the Sarmatians. But changes in weapons and clothing, perhaps, should not be associated with the direct penetration of the Sarmatians into the late Scythian environment: such was the fashion that spread in the vast regions located north of the Black Sea. Religious beliefs are another matter. They were fixed in the features of the funeral rite listed above and could probably appear only together with their bearers. The Sarmatians settled scattered among the later Scythians, but in some places, obviously, they formed quite compact groups. One of these groups (maybe a tribe that had settled on the land) belonged to the Skalistoye II burial ground, which was notable for the monotony of burial structures and implements, as well as the grave. And the things found in them do not contradict the assumption that the Sarmatians left them.

Perhaps it is more difficult to identify traces of Taurians among the late Scythians. Archaeologically, they are captured in some structures of burial structures (most clearly in the already mentioned Tavel burial mounds), in individual forms of molded vessels, and very rarely in bronze jewelry. However, in this case written sources come to the rescue. In them, to designate the population of the Crimea, a new term appears - “Tauro-Scythians” or “Scythotaurs”. This name is widely distributed in the first centuries of our era. It is used, for example, in the inscriptions of the Bosporan kings, who must have known their closest neighbors well. Most likely, we are dealing with the process of merging two previously independent ethnic groups - Taurians and Scythians. Judging by the fact that at that time the original habitat of the Taurians - the Crimean Mountains - was deserted, while the Late Scythian settlements in the foothills continued to live an active life, migration went in one direction: the Taurians descended from the mountains and joined the inhabitants of the Late Scythian settlements.

The Hellenes had a noticeable influence on the Late Scythian culture. And not only for the material (the Scythians used a huge amount of things bought from the Greeks, borrowed many architectural techniques, etc.), but also for the spiritual. Greek statues were installed in the capital of the state, painting developed under the noticeable influence of Greek, and specifically Bosporan, models, inscriptions were carved in Greek (and not only in Naples).

It is possible to give more such examples, but it still remains unclear to what extent these influences were due to the influx of Greek settlers into the late Scythian settlements, and to what extent - by other reasons (invitation of sculptors and painters for temporary work, the study of the Greek language and writing by the Scythians themselves, etc.). d.). Indeed, it is well known

that Greek merchants lived in Naples, first Posidei, later Eumenes, but these could be isolated cases. The Scythians were also influenced by some other peoples. During excavations, things come across, the origin of which can be associated with the Thracians and Celts. However, it is rather difficult to establish whether these objects were the work of the Thracians and the Celts themselves, or whether they were made by the Scythians according to foreign models. However, the quantity, and most importantly, the range of products is such that it suggests the presence of Thracians among the late Scythians. With regard to the Celts, it is too early to make such assumptions.

Thus, the Romans had to face in the Crimea with a rather complex population. The first divisions of the Roman troops appeared here in the 40s. 1st century AD, but they were thoroughly strengthened on the peninsula in connection with the already mentioned campaign of Tiberius Plautius Silvanus, provoked by the Scythians. Chersonese became the most important base of the Roman troops and fleet in the Crimea. But the outposts of the Romans were located outside this city.

In particular, the Kharaks fortress was built on the South Bank. In an effort to establish control over the interior of the peninsula, one of the divisions of the XI Claudian legion occupied the Scythian settlement of Alma-kermen. Its former inhabitants were evicted outside the defensive walls and settled in the immediate vicinity. On Alma-kermen, the Romans arranged their lives very thoroughly. They erected capital houses and even organized the production of glass products, rare for the Crimea and completely unknown to the late Scythians. Roman legions penetrated into other regions of the Crimea. This is evidenced, for example, by a coin treasure buried on the embankment of Lake Saki. But other than Alma-kermen, the places of long-term stay of the Romans in the territory occupied by the late Scythians are not known. The relationship between the Romans and the late Scythians sometimes took on the character of armed conflicts. This can be guessed by referring to the inscriptions on some tombstones found in Chersonese. One of the epitaphs refers to a freedman who was killed by the Tauri. Other tombstones do not say so directly about the perpetrators of the death of Roman soldiers, but it is likely that some of them died in skirmishes with local tribes. In the 40s. 1st century n. e. the barbarians destroyed several ships with Roman legions, which, according to Tacitus, "were carried to the shores of the Taurians."

At a time when the Romans were still very firmly held in the Crimea, the late Scythian state experienced some major disaster. It happened around the turn of the 1st-2nd centuries. AD Almost the entire northwestern Crimea was deserted. Only the settlement of Tarpanchi survived, but it, having lost its defensive structures, thus turned into an unfortified settlement. Life stops at the Bulgavak settlement in the central Crimea. At the same time, no traces of one-time destruction or fires, which usually accompany military operations, were recorded. It seems that people organized and deliberately left their homes. But for this they had to have good reasons. It is remembered that at the end of the 1st - beginning of the 2nd centuries. AD some events are taking place in the Northern Black Sea region, accompanied by active military operations. The late Scythians who lived on the Lower Dnieper leave all but one of the settlements explored to date. Judging by the epigraphic documents, Olbia is going through hard times in the fight against the barbarians. Many settlements on the Asian side of the Bosporus and Mikhailovskoye in its European part are burning and destroyed.

If we assume that all the changes described above occurred as a result of one historical event, and not different, but practically simultaneous, then some major movement of the Sarmatian tribes could be such. This assumption does not find reliable confirmation in the sources, but it is known that at that time the Sarmatians were the only political force in the Northern Black Sea region capable of acting on vast territories from the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea in the east to the Dnieper region in the west.

In II-III centuries. AD in the foothills of the Crimea, a rather curious group of settlements arises, consisting of small fortified shelters, devoid of a cultural layer and located near extensive settlements. Probably, people did not live in shelters all the time, but gathered there from unfortified settlements in case of military danger. Perhaps the emergence of such complexes in the foothills is explained by the influx of people into these places, who left the northwestern Crimea.

Surprisingly, despite these events, under the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD), the Tauro-Scythians attacked Olbia. The danger for the Olbiopolites was so serious that they were forced to ask the emperor for help. The Romans, together with the Olbian militia, defeated the barbarians, and an agreement favorable to Olbia was concluded, to guarantee the execution of which the Taurus Scythians saw their hostages.

Being active in the west, in the east the Scythians experienced pressure from the Bosporus. 193 AD An inscription found in Tanais is dated, in the surviving part of which we read: "... having conquered the Siraks and Scythians and annexed Taurica by agreement ...". Probably, during the reign of King Sauromates II, to whose reign this inscription dates, the Bosporus managed to inflict a serious defeat on the Scythians. In any case, such a formulation has never been seen before. Another Bosporan king, Reskuporides III (210/211-226/227 AD), was already named the king of "the entire Bosporus and the Taurus-Scythians." Perhaps Reskuporides III undertook campaigns deep into Scythia. The fact is that for the entire period of excavation of late Scythian monuments, only three coin treasures were found (in Naples and not far from it in Chokurcha and Beeli), which were buried during the reign of Reskuporides III - at the end of the first quarter of the 3rd century BC. AD We also note that the name of Reskuporides III is mentioned in an inscription found much to the west of the traditional Bosporan borders, in the city of Stary Krym. True, the possibility that the inscription came to Stary Krym by chance in recent times is not ruled out.

Excavations of settlements in the central and southwestern Crimea show that a very intensive life continued there even after the events described above. Late Scythian settlements and burial grounds associated with them ceased to function almost simultaneously in the middle of the 3rd century. It is known from written sources that at that time a tribal union appeared in the Crimea, headed by the German tribes of the Goths. The militancy of the Goths is described by many ancient historians. Therefore, there is every reason to believe that it was these tribes that destroyed the Late Scythian settlements.

Traces of the Gothic defeat are traced archaeologically. For example, in the layers formed in connection with the destruction of Naples, several dozen skeletons and individual skulls were found, buried without observing the usual norms of the funeral rite. 42 injured skulls were found in one of the pits. Now it is difficult to decide whether the defenders of the city or its invaders own these remains. But, despite the difficulties associated with dating these burials, it can be assumed that they were made immediately after the final death of Naples. To clarify the time of penetration of the Goths into the territory of the late Scythians allows the treasure of silver Roman coins of Antoninians, found in the Kacha valley. The circumstances of the find are not entirely clear, but one can agree with the authors of the publication about it, who believe that the treasure belonged to one of the Gothic warriors. The latest coin of the hoard dates back to 251 AD. Probably, the treasure was hidden a little later than this time. The Scythians could not survive the Gothic defeat, only in some places, obviously, in the most remote corners, life continued to flicker. Only at one settlement - Tas-tepe in the Kacha valley - reliable materials of the 4th century BC were found. The death of this, but it is possible that of some other settlements, can be connected, of course, only hypothetically, with the invasion of the Huns who appeared in the Crimea in the 70s. 4th century AD

Conclusion.

This is the finale of the Scythian story. Some of the inhabitants of the late Scythian settlements, apparently, became part of the Gothic tribes, another part ended up among the Huns, the third retreated into the mountains and became one of the components of the medieval Crimean people that were developing here. In any case, the Scythians lost their territory, their common material and spiritual culture, and thus ceased to exist as a single people. Probably, some late Scythian features enriched the culture of the tribes that assimilated them. This is partly traced archaeologically on the example of such cemeteries as Chernorechensky, Iikermansky, Sovkhoz No. 10 near Sevastopol, Ozernoe III in the southwestern and Neyzats in the central Crimea, but rather soon the last reminiscences of the Scythian culture are "washed out" under the powerful influence of various ethnic groups inhabiting the Crimea. Outside the Crimea, everything Scythian was lost even earlier. Therefore, none of the modern peoples can claim to be called a direct descendant of the Scythians.

True, the very name of the Scythians appears for a long time in various sources. Insufficiently informed authors called Goths, Huns, Khazars, Slavs who appeared on the Black Sea shores. Yes, and the entire Northern Black Sea region was often still called Scythia. But this is nothing more than an echo of the former glory of the famous Scythians.

Each nation goes through its own segment of the path, which is called the history of mankind. The path of the Scythians was not short; history measured them out for about a thousand years. For a long time they represented the dominant political force in the vast steppe spaces between the Don and the Danube. Therefore, the history of the south of our country cannot be studied outside the context of the history of the Scythians. Not without reason, not the first generation of researchers is engaged in its reconstruction. But, I think, not only the awareness of the importance of the mission taken on makes scientists spend hours not getting up from their desks and losing their usual comfort while working on expeditions. Huge, not subject to the efforts of the will, interest drives them. An interest in the past is quite naturally inherent in every person.

Bibliography.

1. Altabaeva E.B., Kovalenko V.V. At the Black Sea crossroads. Crimea from ancient times to the end of the XVIII century. - Simferopol, 1997.

2. Vysotskaya T. N. Scythian settlements. - Simferopol, 1989.

3. Dyulichev V.P. Stories on the history of Crimea. - Simferopol, 1996.

4. Olkhovsky V.S., Khrapunov I.N. Crimean Scythia. – Simferopol, 1990.

5. Podgorodetsky P.D. Northwestern Crimea. - Simferopol, 1979.

6. Popular encyclopedia. Non-Slavic Russia. Section Scythians. http://www.sib.net/n_russia/1_vol/

Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

Sevastopol State Technical University.

Department of Philosophical and Social Sciences.

Abstract on the topic:

"Crimean Scythia"

Completed:

student of group P-12d

Kvasov Evgeny Alexandrovich.

Checked:

Kukhnikova Tatyana Konstantinovna

Sevastopol - 2001

Introduction.

1. The appearance of the Scythians in the Crimea. Formation of the Scythian state.

2. Social system, state structure and political history of the Scythian kingdom.

3. Weapons, dishes, culture and art of the Scythians.

4. Burials.

5. Scythian settlements in the Crimea.

6. The death of the Scythian state in the Crimea.

Conclusion.

Bibliography.

All together they are called skoloty by the name of the king; The Greeks called them Scythians ...

Introduction.

Today we are quite clearly aware of the inseparable connection, the interconnection of nature and society. In ancient times, natural conditions and climate decisively influenced the way of life, the economic system, the material and, to some extent, the spiritual culture of the human collective. The Scythians were no exception in this regard.

The culture of the Scythians of Crimea has been studied by archaeologists and historians for many decades. The main purpose of my abstract is to get acquainted with the main results of this work.

1. The appearance of the Scythians in the Crimea. Formation of the Scythian state.

The Scythians are first mentioned in the sources as members of the anti-Assyrian coalition of the 70s. 7th century BC However, this event was preceded by the appearance of the Scythians in Western Asia, and the expulsion of the Cimmerians from the Northern Black Sea region by them. According to historical tradition, the Scythians were forced out of southern Siberia by their eastern neighbors - the Massagetae and occupied the vast expanses of the steppes between the Danube and the Don. The territory of residence of the Scythians was called Scythia by ancient authors. According to one of the widespread hypotheses, the ancestors of the Scythians were the tribes of the so-called log culture.

remaining.

As a result of the above events, by the end of the III century. BC e. the Late Scythian state was formed.

2. Social system, state structure and political history of the Scythian kingdom.

Social structure and state structure.

The royal Scythians considered themselves "the best and most numerous." The rest of the tribes depended on this dominant group. This dependence was expressed in the payment of tribute.

- tribes that inhabited the steppes of Eastern Europe in the 7th-2nd centuries. BC. Modern ideas about the appearance of the Scythians can be reduced to two main theories. According to the first, the formation of the Scythian ethnos took place on the basis of the local pre-Scythian population, who lived in the Black Sea region in the late Bronze Age. The second, more complex, comes from the information that became known to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. According to this theory, they penetrated the Black Sea steppes and the Crimea from Asia. There are also scientific hypotheses that combine these ideas about the origin of the Scythians in various ways and, obviously, are closest to reality. belonged to the Caucasoid race, their language belonged to the Iranian group of Indo-European languages.

Modern archaeological periodizations of the Scythian era are numerous and varied. The most successful option is to divide it into periods: archaic- VII-VI centuries. BC., Middle Scythian- 5th century BC., Late Scythian- IV - beginning of III centuries. BC. It is based on the changes in Scythian culture observed by archaeologists. The signs of this culture are considered to be the “Scythian triad”, consisting of characteristic items: weapons - akinaki swords and bronze arrowheads, animal-style jewelry and horse equipment. The end of the Scythian era in the Northern Black Sea region and in the Crimea is attributed to the end of the first third of the 3rd century BC. BC.

In the western Crimea, the Scythians used both pits and stone boxes for burials. The most famous was the burial of the Golden Mound. It was inlet. A male warrior was lying in a grave pit on a special ground elevation-bed, with his head to the west. On his neck was a golden hryvnia - a neck decoration in the form of an open ring. The belt was decorated with plaques depicting an eagle and a griffon head. At his feet stood a large stucco jug. A set of weapons that was under the burial, in addition to an oval wooden shield with iron plates stuffed on it, including a short iron sword in a sheath with gold lining, a wooden quiver covered with leather, with 180 arrowheads. The mouth of the quiver was decorated with a three-dimensional figure of a panther, made of bronze and covered with gold foil.

Very interesting events took place in the 5th century. BC e. in the eastern part of Crimea - on the Kerch Peninsula. Here began the process of settling the Scythians on the ground. They were drawn into the sphere of influence of the newly formed Bosporus kingdom, which was interested in producing as much bread as possible. Recent nomads turned into farmers, founded long-term settlements, moved from the burial rite to the construction of soil cemeteries. The first barbarian, apparently Scythian burials at the necropolis of the Bosporus city of Nymphea date back to the same time. However, there were still very few Scythians living in the cities of the Bosporus. This is evidenced by a very small amount of stucco Scythian ceramics found in the Bosporus in layers of the 6th-5th centuries. BC uh…….

In the IV century. BC. life in the Crimean possessions of the Scythians has changed. During this time, the population increased several times. The limited space suitable for nomadic life led to the fact that most of the Scythians were forced to switch to agriculture. In the Steppe and Piedmont Crimea, there was a transition of the mass of nomadic Scythians to settled life. This phenomenon is especially noticeable on the Kerch Peninsula, as well as in the steppe and foothills near Feodosia. There was a sedentarization (transition to settled life) on the Scythian lands bordering on the lands of the Bosporus kingdom, or on the lands that were formerly Scythian, but in this century became part of the Bosporan state. Here, over the course of a century, several dozen villages populated mainly by barbarians arose. The sizes of the villages were different, from small farms with two or three manor houses located at a decent distance from each other, to large settlements covering an area of several tens of hectares. In them, the distance between the houses was 30-50 m. The free space was occupied by gardens and orchards. Often low hills rose up between the houses - ash pans. It was also a garbage dump used by the family or kindred families, and at the same time served as a sanctuary for deities, guardians of the hearth and family well-being. The houses consisted of two or three rooms that had residential and household purposes, small rooms reserved for keeping animals. Their walls were built of stone with clay mortar. Sometimes only plinths were made of stone, and above the walls they consisted of raw, that is, unbaked, sun-dried bricks. The roofs were earthen, only occasionally do archaeologists find fragments of purchased flat tiles. In the yards there were numerous utility pits intended for storing grain in spikelets. Each of these containers with a depth of 1.5-2 m or more, contained from half a ton to a ton of grain. Sometimes there are also large pits with a capacity of several tons. Such storages with a wide lower part and a narrow mouth existed for a relatively short time. As a rule, a few years after the construction, they were covered with household garbage - ashes and fragments of broken dishes. Household items found in the rubbish are fragments of Greek amphorae, local molded and pottery purchased from the Greeks, pieces of clay braziers, clay weights for spindles - whorls. Occasionally there are larger loads for looms. Among the finds in the settlements are single Greek coins, bronze ornaments for horse harness, bronze arrowheads, iron tools and fragments of weapons.

The main occupation of the villagers was agriculture. They grew wheat, which they sold through the ports of the Bosporus kingdom to Greece, mainly to ancient Athens. The inhabitants of the villages were engaged in domestic and pastoral cattle breeding. The nature of domestic cattle breeding is clear modern man, pastoral may be associated with a long stay of the herd away from home on summer and winter pastures. The share of horses in their herds, in comparison with the nomadic herd, has decreased, but the share of cattle has increased. Some of the meat products were obtained by hunting wild animals. Gardening and horticulture existed on a small scale and was aimed at meeting the needs of family members. Families, judging by the size of the houses, were small - pairs, consisting of parents and their children. It seems that adult sons separated from their fathers, created their own estates and received new land plots.

Judging by the fact that all these houses are similar to each other, it can be assumed that the inhabitants of the villages had a similar level of material wealth. Most likely, these were recent ordinary nomads and impoverished Scythians, who lost their herds and the right to use pastures. Their work was used in their own interests by the highest Scythian nobility. It is possible that on the lands of the Bosporan state such "neighboring" communities were exploited by the royal authorities.

Burial mounds appeared near the settlements in the eastern Crimea, consisting of many mounds, under which there were stone and earthen crypts intended for members of the same family. The best tombs from well-cut stone were built by specially invited masons and Greek builders.

In the mounds of the steppe near the Sivash region, graves in the form of catacombs were common - small artificial caves intended for the burial of one or two people. The population of this part of the Crimea continued to adhere to the traditions characteristic of the steppes. In addition, there are no villages here, but often there are traces of camps - short stops of pastoralists. The nomadic way of life was preserved here.

The burial places of nomads are richer than the graves of farmers: their position in Scythian society was higher than that of farmers.

The high-ranking Scythian aristocracy at that time concentrated in the foothills of the peninsula. In the first half of the 4th c. BC. there was an aristocratic burial ground Dort-Oba, explored by archaeologists near Simferopol. Perhaps, nomarchs were buried here - the rulers of the Crimean part of Scythia, subordinate to the great king Atey, who led all the Black Sea Scythians. A later, dating back to the second half of this century, burial ground of the local nobility is located near the modern city of Belogorsk. Mounds about ten meters high indicate that a dynasty of its own appeared on the Tauride Peninsula, which considered itself only one rank below the great kings of all Scythia.

Indeed, on the tops of the Ak-Kaya and Besh-Oba mountains there is the largest aristocratic burial ground of the Crimean Scythians, which arose no earlier than the middle of the 4th century. BC. The Akkay kurgan necropolis bears original features. They are expressed in the thoughtful use of terrain features and are characterized by an architectural solution in which large mounds were included in the relief of the Crimean Mountains. So, when looking from the Steppe Crimea at the mountain-foothill interfluve of the Biyuk-Karasu and Kuchuk-Karasu rivers, already from a distance of 15-20 km, and on days with contrasting lighting - from a distance of several tens of kilometers, a rhythmic picture of sharp and domed peaks opens Crimean mountains, between which the silhouettes of large barrows, as if equalized with them in size and significance, appear. In a strictly thought-out choice of perspective, it is also convincing that in another part of the Piedmont Crimea, with all diligence, it would not have been possible to achieve such an effect. Therefore, the monument can be attributed to the number of landscape and architectural "parks" unique for the Northern Black Sea region. Among almost hundreds of small burial mounds, 10 mounds from 6 to 10 m high rise here. Under the embankment of each of them, a representative of the Scythian aristocracy was buried, who, in the conditions of the Crimean peninsula, during his lifetime could claim the royal title. For two and a half thousand years, these graves have been plundered more than once (modern antiquities dealers do not understand this, so teams of greedy tomb defilers continue to senselessly destroy monuments). Archaeologists managed to examine only two tombs located under the barrows. In one case, it was a large Scythian catacomb, the same as in the large mounds of the ancient kings of the Steppe Scythia. In the second, modern robbers unearthed a large stone crypt built by specially invited Greek craftsmen.

Another branch of the Scythian aristocracy with a high level of claims settled in the capital of the Bosporan kingdom, Panticapaeum. Its wealth was created by the Scythians, who lived in numerous villages, the remains of which were discovered by archaeologists on the Kerch Peninsula. After their death, the noble Scythians were buried in the mounds of Kul-Oba and Patinioti, located in the necropolis of Panticapaeum among the tombs of noble Greek families who lived in Panticapaeum.

Both Kul-Oba and the Patinioti barrow belong in size to the same group of aristocratic mounds as those located on Besh-Oba and Ak-Kaya in the Crimean foothills. This equalizes the social position of the barbarian leaders or kings buried in them. The stone crypt, over which the Kul-Oba barrow was built, had the form of a rectangle with a ledge ceiling 5 meters high. On a wooden couch rested the Scythian ruler in clothes embroidered with expensive ornaments. There were richly decorated weapons, jewelry, precious vessels. Nearby stood a cypress sarcophagus with the burial of a woman, in which numerous ornaments were found. The rest of the owners was guarded by a servant - a squire. Almost the same was the burial in the Patinioti mound. It is possible that in these two mounds located close to each other, there were tombs of members of one aristocratic family, which chose the Greek city as its place of residence.

In the western part of the Crimean peninsula, in the Chayan mound (near Evpatoria), another burial of a Scythian aristocrat was discovered. He probably led the Scythians of the Western Crimea.

Judging by the weapons found in the burials, the aristocrats in wartime were the leaders of the Scythian detachments, in which ordinary nomads formed the backbone of the cavalry, and the farmers were assigned the role of lightly armed infantry.

On the relationship of the Scythians with the Greek population of the Crimean peninsula in the 4th century. BC. can only be judged by fragmentary evidence from the history of the Bosporus state. So, at the beginning of the century, the Scythians, subjects of the king of all Scythia Atey, acted as allies of the Bosporan ruler Levkon in the war of the Bosporan kingdom against independent Theodosius. In the second half of the century there was a war already between the Scythians and the Bosporus. The reasons for it are not clear, but this collision was unlikely to be long. Probably, the Bosporus, using primarily economic levers, managed to appease the Scythians. Therefore, when two decades later the struggle for the Bosporan throne flared up between the legitimate pretender Satyr and his opponent Eumel (by the way, Satyr's brother), supported by the Azov Siraks from the powerful Sarmatian group of tribes, the Scythians took the side of Satyr, who eventually lost. This was their last active intervention in Bosporan politics, bringing closer the decisive clash between the Scythians and their eastern neighbors, the Sarmatians.

About the catastrophe that befell both the Scythians and the Greeks in the 70-60s. 3rd century BC, can be judged from the materials of the Scythian settlements of the Feodosia and Kerch zones, as well as the Chersonesos settlements of the North-Western Crimea, including Kerkinitida and Kalos Limena. Life suddenly stopped in hundreds of settlements, some of them were found traces of fires and the remains of dead people. The picture of the complete defeat is depressing, apparently, the Sarmatian tribes who came from behind the Don during one or several campaigns completely finished off the Scythians, they had folding knives and sharp axes in their arsenal, not sparing the Greek possessions. Only the Greek cities survived, protected by powerful stone walls.