Social structure of the swordsman from Scythian Forest-Steppe
Journal Title: Eminak - Year 2016, Vol 0, Issue 4
Abstract
The article is devoted to the social characteristics of warrior’s burials with blade weapon. For analysis area of the Scythian culture in the Forest-Steppe of Eastern Europe was selected. 140 complexes were considered. Main attention was concentrated on the composition of the funeral feast. Complexes with blade weapon were divided in four social groups. 36 underprivileged complexes were attributed as burials of ordinary swordsmen. Some of the ordinary burials can be considered as autochthonous agricultural inhabitants. Burials of bodyguards were outlined due to representative set of armament with lack of precious finds. There are 45 complexes of this group. Burials of elite bodyguards are also numbers 45 complexes. This group is similar to the previous one. But it stands out by the single finds of status items. Tombs of the aristocracy are characterized by a complex set of prestigious things. There are 14 graves of this group. Only some of poor graves could be considered as farmer’s burials. Another complexes distinguished by markers of Scythian burial ritual: precious trophies, some attributes of cult (stone altars, bronze mirrors, chariot’s finials, wooden bowls), horses and slaves burials. Also, ceremonial weapon (inclusive with oilstones and scourges), pairs of swords, zoomorphic chapes and scaly armour (especially precious and import details) considered as nomad’s indicator. Correlation of swords and daggers with other prestigious artefacts indicate high social status of thumping majority of swordsmen. Considered burials of swordsmen are distinguished by professional ranks, age-specific an gender characteristics. Perhaps the fact of possession of blade weapon was a marker of ethno-social identity. It is also possible to suggest an ethnic difference of noble warriors and ordinary farmers. So, it could be considered that Scythians were on the high rank of the social structure among the farmer tribes. And Forest-Steppe region was involved in the common military-politic structure of the Scythia.
Authors and Affiliations
Olexander Shelehan
Keywords
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