07-20-2015, 09:32 PM
Hi, Troy Ancona
Your original question concerning Roman vs. "Scythian" exchanges in the 1st Century AD has been capably addressed by Evan and Michael. The origin of the Sarmatian culture seems to stop short. It was pre-Scythian/Saka, formed in the East and not in the West. Archaeologists have continuously noticed the "Mongoloid admixture," going back to the initial Sarmatian period, yet they never seem to complete the connection to an origin. Where did the Sarmatians really come from?
The answer lies in the bronze age when the Afanisievo/Sintashta culture spread eastward. Principal in the development was the resulting Karasuk culture of the Minuminsk Basin. Here we find the earliest weapons that would continue to influence both the Chinese and Romans, even Homer's ancient Greeks. Here's a photo of several item-types in my collection, first carried southeastward to China and then to the West.
[attachment=12552]DSC_0114.JPG[/attachment]
The bronze knife is typical of those found in the c. 1200BC Shang chariot tombs at Anyang. It can be traced directly northwest to a Karasuk origin; and it's one of the earliest examples of an art known as "the Scythian animal style." The Chinese thumb ring (here in jade) can also be traced to the pre-Saka/pre-Scythian/pre-Sarmatian Karasuks. This example is almost identical to the personal thumb ring of Fu Hau, the woman-warrior general of king Wu Ding. Next, typical lamellar plate, here in iron but first made from bone, can also be traced back to the Karasuks. The continuing trade and intermarriages (first between this proto-Sarmatian culture and the Chinese) would eventully introduce the iron sword and scabbard slide to the Zhou-era Chinese.
When the historical period arrived, we find various tribes ranging from the Altlai to the Tarim Basin-- the Sargats, Saka, Massagetae, Wusun, and Yue-Chi. In the 4th century BC, the Hsung-Gnu (Hunnic) Federation rose to prominence. As a result, the Saka/Massagetae confederation collapsed and a newer (Wusun/Alanic) power structure replaced it-- the Sarmatian or Alanic culture. The first to arrive in Danubian territories were the Roxolani. A Roxolani tomb (either that of a general or king) in Bulgaria contained a jade scabbard slide, decorated with a "chilong" dragon similar to the one in the above photo.
The Sarmatians were an Eastern culture that slowly moved West. As mentioned in above posts by my friends, the Sarmatians had reached Roman territories by the 1st century of our era, and they brought a wide variety of weapons and tactics adopted by the Roman military.
mile:
Here's a photo of Fu Hao's thumb ring. The later Roman versions, made in bronze, were similar in design.
[attachment=12553]FuHaosthumbring.jpg[/attachment]
Your original question concerning Roman vs. "Scythian" exchanges in the 1st Century AD has been capably addressed by Evan and Michael. The origin of the Sarmatian culture seems to stop short. It was pre-Scythian/Saka, formed in the East and not in the West. Archaeologists have continuously noticed the "Mongoloid admixture," going back to the initial Sarmatian period, yet they never seem to complete the connection to an origin. Where did the Sarmatians really come from?
The answer lies in the bronze age when the Afanisievo/Sintashta culture spread eastward. Principal in the development was the resulting Karasuk culture of the Minuminsk Basin. Here we find the earliest weapons that would continue to influence both the Chinese and Romans, even Homer's ancient Greeks. Here's a photo of several item-types in my collection, first carried southeastward to China and then to the West.
[attachment=12552]DSC_0114.JPG[/attachment]
The bronze knife is typical of those found in the c. 1200BC Shang chariot tombs at Anyang. It can be traced directly northwest to a Karasuk origin; and it's one of the earliest examples of an art known as "the Scythian animal style." The Chinese thumb ring (here in jade) can also be traced to the pre-Saka/pre-Scythian/pre-Sarmatian Karasuks. This example is almost identical to the personal thumb ring of Fu Hau, the woman-warrior general of king Wu Ding. Next, typical lamellar plate, here in iron but first made from bone, can also be traced back to the Karasuks. The continuing trade and intermarriages (first between this proto-Sarmatian culture and the Chinese) would eventully introduce the iron sword and scabbard slide to the Zhou-era Chinese.
When the historical period arrived, we find various tribes ranging from the Altlai to the Tarim Basin-- the Sargats, Saka, Massagetae, Wusun, and Yue-Chi. In the 4th century BC, the Hsung-Gnu (Hunnic) Federation rose to prominence. As a result, the Saka/Massagetae confederation collapsed and a newer (Wusun/Alanic) power structure replaced it-- the Sarmatian or Alanic culture. The first to arrive in Danubian territories were the Roxolani. A Roxolani tomb (either that of a general or king) in Bulgaria contained a jade scabbard slide, decorated with a "chilong" dragon similar to the one in the above photo.
The Sarmatians were an Eastern culture that slowly moved West. As mentioned in above posts by my friends, the Sarmatians had reached Roman territories by the 1st century of our era, and they brought a wide variety of weapons and tactics adopted by the Roman military.
mile:Here's a photo of Fu Hao's thumb ring. The later Roman versions, made in bronze, were similar in design.
[attachment=12553]FuHaosthumbring.jpg[/attachment]
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
