Sarmatiana: A List of References, Old & New

[Michael Kerr]

Also in regards to ancient writers I have to mention Ovid who while in exile in Tomis composed his poems about his exile including meeting "Sarmatians".

as soon as the Danube’s levelled by dry winds,
the barbarian host attack on swift horses:
strong in horses and strong in far-flung arrows
laying waste the neighbouring lands far and wide.
Some men flee: and, with their fields unguarded,
their undefended wealth is plundered,
the scant wealth of the country, herds
and creaking carts, whatever a poor farmer has.
Some, hands tied, are driven off as captives,
looking back in vain at their farms and homes.
some die wretchedly pierced by barbed arrows,
since there’s a touch of venom on the flying steel.
They destroy what they can’t carry, or lead away,
and enemy flames burn the innocent houses.
Even at peace, they tremble on the edge of war,
and no man ploughs the soil with curving blade.
This place sees the enemy, or fears him unseen:
the earth lies idle, abandoned to harsh neglect.

I think he was referring to Iazyges at this time early 1st Century so they must have been on the move to Hungary. I read where Ovid actually learned to like the Iazyges and composed poetry in their language but alas if this is true its a shame that they are lost as we don't have much idea about their language..

Regards
Michael Kerr