Electrum vase from the Kul-Oba kurgan, depicting Scythians 4th C. BCE

"Nowhere are men seen so dull-witted (I say not this of the Scythian nation) as in the lands by Euxine Pontus, against which Darius led his army. For we cannot show that any nation on the hither side of the Pontus has aught of cleverness, nor do we know (not reckoning the Scythian nation and Anacharsis) of any notable man born there. But the Scythian race has in that matter which of all human affairs is of greatest import made the cleverest discovery that we know; I praise not the Scythians in all respects, but in this greatest matter they have so devised that none who attacks them can escape, and none can catch them if they desire not to be found. For when men have no stablished cities or fortresses, but all are house-bearers and mounted archers, living not by tilling the soil but by cattle-rearing and carrying their dwellings on wagons, how should these not be invincible and unapproachable?

This invention they have made in a land which suits their purpose and has rivers which are their allies; for their country is level and grassy and well watered and rivers run through it not greatly fewer than the canals of Egypt."

-Herodotus, The Histories: Book 4, Chapter 46-47 

Electrum vase from the Kul-Oba kurgan, depicting Scythians 4th C. BCE. Of possible Greek manufacture for Scythian trade. Hermitage Museum.

Source:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/134263632631614011/

https://twitter.com/nadhirawho/status/1454070264891854854

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vas_d%27or_amb_representaci%C3%B3_d%27escites,_kurgan_de_Kul-Oba,_segona_meitat_del_segle_IV_aC.JPG

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-Five-Vase-from-the-Kul-Oba-kurgan-in-the-Crimea-4th-century-BCE-Skythes_fig3_285316455

Quote:

https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Herodotus/4C*.html