Scythian gold horseman 4th C. BCE

"From the very beginnings of their emergence on the world scene the Scythians took part in the greatest campaigns of their times, defeating such mighty contemporaries as Assyria, Urartu, Babylon, Media and Persia.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus recorded that Cimmerian tribes had inhabited the Black Sea steppes before the Scythians. Then came the Scythians, and conquered the Cimmerians. Pursued by the Scythians, Cimmerian nomads crossed the Caucasus and spread into the countries of western Asia; and the pursuing Scythians, led over the mountains by their king Madyes, defeated the Medes they found in their path.

Early in the 7th century the Scythians moved against Assyria. The official records of Assyria are highly selective, giving much space to Assyrian victories but remaining silent about Assyrian defeats. Fortunately, a more balanced picture can be built up by comparing various surviving sources - not only the official record, but also the reports of spies, and the questions put by Assyrian kings to oracles when seeking advice.

After a period of warfare between the Scythians and Assyrians the politically skilled Assyrian king Esarhaddon succeeded in winning peace with them, for a time, by the presentation of rich gifts, and by marrying off his daughter to the Scythian king Partatua. The Scythians' attentions were diverted towards Palestine and Egypt. A biblical prophet referred to the Scythians as 'the ancient, mighty people whose language is hard to understand. They are always courageous, and their quivers are like an open grave. They will eat your harvest and bread, they will eat your sons and daughters, they will eat your sheep and oxen, they will eat your grapes and figs.' Only by paying heavy tribute did the Pharaoh Psammetichus I  (reigned 663-609) save his country from Scythian invasion.

From Egypt the Scythians returned to Assyria, and in the period c. 650-620 BC Media, one of the richest states of the ancient East, fell steadily under their influence. In 612 BC a Scytho-Median army finally captured Nineveh and overthrew the Assyrian Empire."

-The Scythians 700-300 BC: Dr. E.V. Cernenko, Angus McBride, & Dr. M.V. Gorelik 

Scythian gold horseman 4th C. BCE. Possibly of Greek manufacture. Boots tied around his ankles, pierced in places for attachment, 1¾in. (4.5cm.), one hoof missing, one bent.

Source:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/11597/lot/245/

Quote:

The Scythians 700-300 BC: Dr. E.V. Cernenko, Angus McBride, & Dr. M.V. Gorelik