Scythians by unknown artist
"It is important to note that all members of a pastoral nomadic society participated in the mobile lifestyle, and in all the efforts to maintain life, and so all were equally proficient in those skills that translated well to warfare. It helped steppe warfare considerably that every nomad with a horse was a potential front-line warrior - and this also could include women. By comparison, only a small number of settled populations were ever trained and equipped for war.
Women are reported to have been warriors in some of the early steppe nations. Some Scythian, and even more so Sarmatian, women went to war with their men, causing in all likelihood the creation of the myth of the Amazons. Like their menfolk, they were prepared for this kind of experience by their lifestyle, for while the men were off raiding or hunting, the women took care of the herds and homes. It was necessary for them to know the use of weapons, to protect themselves and their herds, and they also developed all the same skills as the men. Perhaps it was optional for women to join their men in war in these particular societies, and some percentage always chose to do so. In any event, war for the nomads was clearly considered a nationwide activity, and even if not actually going to war the women of most steppe tribes knew weaponry well enough, and were just as good horse riders as their menfolk. To this day Mongolian women are among the country's best archers and riders.
This expert 'man-power' was valuable when coupled with mobility, for mobility can win wars, and the lack of it can lose them. All examples of note regarding steppe success against more sedentary foes shows this mobility at the core of that success."
-Mounted Archers of the Steppe 600 BC-AD 1300; Elite. Antony Karasulas & Angus McBride. Osprey Publishing.
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| Scythians by unknown artist. |
Source:
Quote:
Mounted Archers of the Steppe 600 BC-AD 1300; Elite. Antony Karasulas & Angus McBride. Osprey Publishing.
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