Orthocorybantians

The Orthocorybantians (Old Persian tigra-xauda "people with pointy hoods") were a tribe of the Scythians.[1]

Drawing of Scythian soldiers serving in Achaemenid army. The image is based on Herodotus' description. Soldier on the right wears a pointed hat.

Overview

Orthocorybantians were settling in the tenth satrapy of Achaemenid Persia according to Herodotus.[2] The name itself refers to pointed hats.[3] A delegation of Orthocorybantians paying tribute is depicted on the Apadana relief,[1] together with all the other peoples of the empire.[4]

Contacts with Media

Behistun Inscription provides some insight on the Orthocorybantians. They had close contact with the Median Empire before it was replaced by the Persian Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BC. Median influence had stretched to the lands east of the Caspian Sea.[5]

It has been also speculated that the Orthocorybantians may have lived in Eastern Armenia which bordered the Median Empire. However, this interpretation clearly conflicts with Herodotus' information on Achaemenid military rosters.[1]

See also

References
  1. Verlang von D. Reimer (1982). Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran. pp. 223–225.
  2. Herodotus 3.92
  3. Ivantchik; Vakhtang Licheli (26 December 2007). Achaemenid Culture and Local traditions in Anatolia, Southern Caucasus and Iran: New Discoveries. BRILL. p. 20. ISBN 978-90-474-2398-0.
  4. Sandes, Caroline. "Persepolis, Iran". www.stanfords.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  5. W. J. Vogelsang (1992). The Rise and Organisation of the Achaemenid Empire: The Eastern Iranian Evidence. Brill Academic Pub. p. 160. ISBN 978-90-04-09682-0.
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