Pages: 165-179

This article is devoted to the analysis of the ancient written evidence telling about women warriors from Sauromatian, Scythian, Sarmatian and other tribes of early nomads. We identify the original sources and determine their authenticity, and set them against the archaeological evidence. Among the many accounts about the Sauromatians, there are only two story lines distinguished: while Scythian female warriors are mentioned by the Roman and later authors, there are only a few accounts about Sarmatian and other tribes, and hence, the authenticity of such accounts requires confirmation. Majority of written accounts, as a rule, are not supported by archaeological evidence.

Keywords: North Black Sea region, woman warrior, Sauromatians, Scythians, Sarmatians, written evidence, archaeological materials

Information about author:

Elena Shevchenko (Odessa, Ukraine). Odessa Archaeological Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Lanzheronovskaya St., 4, Odessa, 065026, Ukraine
E-mail: [email protected]