Cimmerians

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Kimerian

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Cimmerians

Regions with significant populations
Eurasian Steppe
Languages
Cimmerian language
Religion
Polytheism
Related ethnic groups
Scythians, Sarmatians

The Cimmerians were an ancient nomadic people who lived in the Eurasian Steppe during the early Iron Age. They are primarily known from Assyrian and Greek sources, which describe their movements and conflicts with other ancient civilizations.

Origins

The origins of the Cimmerians are somewhat obscure, but they are believed to have originated in the region north of the Black Sea, in what is now Ukraine and southern Russia. They are often associated with the Thraco-Cimmerian culture, which is characterized by specific types of pottery and weaponry.

Historical Accounts

The Cimmerians are first mentioned in the records of the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the reign of Sargon II (722–705 BCE). According to these records, the Cimmerians invaded the kingdom of Urartu and later clashed with the Assyrians themselves. They are also mentioned in the works of the Greek historian Herodotus, who describes their displacement by the Scythians.

Migration and Conflicts

The Cimmerians were known for their mobility and military prowess. They migrated southward into Anatolia, where they sacked the city of Sardis in 652 BCE. Their incursions into Asia Minor brought them into conflict with several established states, including Lydia and Phrygia.

Culture and Society

Little is known about the specific cultural practices of the Cimmerians, but they are generally considered to have been a warrior society. Their material culture, as evidenced by archaeological finds, includes distinctive weapons such as the akinakes (a type of short sword) and various types of horse gear, indicating their reliance on cavalry.

Decline

The Cimmerians gradually disappeared from historical records by the 5th century BCE. Their decline is often attributed to their defeat by the Lydians under King Alyattes and the subsequent rise of the Scythians, who dominated the Eurasian Steppe after the Cimmerians.

Legacy

The Cimmerians left a lasting impact on the regions they invaded and influenced. They are sometimes credited with contributing to the spread of certain technological innovations, such as ironworking, across the regions they traversed.

Related Pages

• Scythians
• Sarmatians
• Neo-Assyrian Empire
• Herodotus
• Iron Age
• Eurasian Steppe
• Urartu
• Lydia
• Phrygia