Geçmise dogru uçsuz bucaksız bir yolculugun, yalnızca minicik bir kesiti seni beklemekte ey yolcu! Ve böylece demekteyim ki, yolun açık olsun!
But yes, now I shall take you to some distant past, across ferocious peoples and fields of history. My concern is that, and a problem it is indeed, that no scholar I am. Therefore, it shall be some small briefing and some ponderings. Are you ready for it regardless?
Go!
*a half working, rusty portal opens up* Welcome, to the Scythian life, supported by some exhibition pictures, that I myself took whilst gazing around Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Ankara, Turkey). Unfortunately though, as I had to reset my phone afterwards, most of my photos are long lost in the void so these few will have to do.
Scythians (Iskitler / Saka) were an ancient group of mainly nomadic people, people that are counted amongst the ancestors of Turks, hence the name Proto-Turkic. Their traces can still be found across Turkic / Turkish regions (such as the Gog (Gök = Sky) branch of Scythians settling around Azerbaijan) and this particular exhibition was brought all the way down from Kazakhstan actually. Fascinating!
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| One of the ‘Scythian Golden Man’ findings from Issyk (Esik) Kurgan of Kazakhstan, photographed and edited by yours truly |
Scythians as well used a similar language to Göktürks (Sky / Celestial Turks, using the name bearing of Türk for the first time, officially at least amongst the Turkic / Turkish branches) and the famous silver drinking cup example with the Issyk inscription is one of them, deciphered through other Turkic languages. Some possible interpretations (with the most recent findings):
“Swear by the name of your people!
Word would carry voice and glory of praises to the heavens”
“Of the four cardinal corners, the tribes Syngly sing
Three hundred mourners take an oath and drink”
Despite differences in translations and transliterations, it is certain that the Scythians did have an afterlife perception and set of beliefs set accordingly.
As for what else I may share from my wee photo collection, here is something else:
Scythian art was characterized by highly curvilinear forms, vivid details and technical skill. Here are some stylised yet naturalistic animal forms and other metal objects from those times:
Truly wondrous pieces, and they do still fit the modern stylizations in art interpretation too!
According to the Strategikon of the Byzantium Emperor Maurice, Scythians as well as other Turks have been collectively named as people that know of nothing of human endeavors but war. This is untrue as they did produce many artworks but this perception is important in various ways, such as indicating these people as skillful warriors and horse riders.
Pagan Turks and amongst that, the Scythians gave great importance to equality in ruling and there thus have been notable female governors. One of them would be Tomris Hatun, who led a long war with the Persians, and applied a mostly defensive strategy rather than an aggressive standpoint.
*portal giving errors* Ah, and so it ends, our little journey. This is where we part! But I nevertheless really hope that you have enjoyed the time spent together and may we meet again soon! Perhaps I can give little tales on Turkish mythology and pagan traditions one day? Or something else? What kind of written proses and daily life wonderings (as well as ponderings) would you read from me?
Watch the skies traveller!
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