Herodotus 'Observation And Research Upon The Scythians' Religion

Herodotus observation and research upon the Scythians’ religion and folklore provides an insight to other groups. Herodotus begins by providing a myth from the Scythians which is described for the purpose of their origin. He states, “According to the Scythians, theirs is the youngest of all nations…he carried the gold home, and the elder brothers reacted to this event by agreeing to surrender the entire kingdom to the youngest” (4.5). Herodotus gives the myth of Colaxis, the youngest of his siblings, winning his throne by a burning gold deflaming for only him which he was able to to convince his brothers to grant him the kingdom. On the other hand, Greeks interpret their own story of how the first Scythian ruler came to power. (4.10) provides

the passage of the offsprings of Herakles and the snake goddess coincidentally their youngest son was able to perform a task which his two elder brothers couldn't perform. This lead to the youngest son ruling Scythia. His sources from this tale came orally from the Hellenes of the Pontic region. The notion of these two myths are remarkably relatable, in the sense that two distinct groups captured how a ruler came in power in Scythia. This is why a region's folklore is important to our analysis: to draw comparisons of different groups based on their stylized tales. These tales may seem invalid to the fact of lacking to capture the role of the Scythians as nomads. However, both myths do provide an interesting explanation of a possible rise of civilization in the Scythian empire.
Herodotus attitudes on sacrifice and taxidermy can best described as intrigued by stating descriptive detail on a custom such as the ritual of sacrificing animals to specific gods. Harsh sacrifices described in 4.60 states “after strangling the victim, he skins it and then begins to boil the meat..”. Animal sacrifices have an astonishing parallels to human customs and sacrifices for divine powers such as taxidermy of kings. Taxiderming of a king is a respected gesture stating, “Kings of Scythia are buried in the land of the Gerroi, in whose territory the royal graves are located...Then they strangle one of the king’s concubines and also his cupbearer, his cook, his groom, his principal servant, and his horses, then bury them all in the remaining open space... everyone enthusiastically joins in the building up a huge mound” (4.71). Furthermore, one year later citizens bury Scythian servants around the king to serve him in his afterlife. In this text performing respectable acts for powerful beings is a central principle that informs Herodotus’ audience of Scythian characteristics in terms of rituals and customs.
Scythians can best be described as anti-Greek in regards to Herodotus only providing accounts of Scythians who have adopted Greek customs.

More specifically, the tales of Anacharsis and Skyles provide an example of the consequences Scythians will face if they dare to acknowledge foreign customs. Herodotus explains, “The Scythians are another people that avoid foreign customs at all costs, especially those of the Hellenes,..” (4.76.1). Herodotus, a Greek historian, writes emphasis on Scythian citizens adapting Hellenistic customs. The tale of Anacharsis is one of the examples of Scythian’ attitude towards Hellenistic views and their response towards it. Thus, he illustrates, “ The king himself saw Anacharsis performing these rites, he shot him and killed him… because Anacharsis went abroad, visited Hellas, and practiced foreign customs, if anyone even now asks the Scythians about him, they will deny knowing of him at all...he died at the hand of his own brother..” (4.76.5). Clearly, the consequences are fatal and in result their name becomes an example of disgrace due to disloyalty to their own people. Herodotus sources from this example are Tymnes, the official of Ariapeithes and the citizens of Scythia. Another example would be the account of Skyles a Scythian King. (4.78) explains the story of a Scythian king who was intrigued by the customs of the Hellenes but was executed by his own people. The incident of Skyles contrasts slightly with its predecessor. This narrative

illustrates how critical Scythians obey their own customs and how not even a king can change its regions views nor be able to be forgiven by his own people. This account proves how Herodotus examples of both accounts lead to Scythians being anti-greek in the terms of adopting customs.