Book Description

The first and second section of the book addresses their earlier history when Assyrian sources first mentioned them during the reign of Sargon II. It examines their effect on the Battle on Mt. Uaush in 714 BCE and its aftermath. It discusses why they rebelled against Sargon II, which led to his death. The third section of the book examines King Esarhaddon of Assyria and his on-and-off fight with the Scythians and Cimmerians and the many chieftains who challenged Assyria during his reign. The fourth section of the book discusses the reign of Ashurbanipal and how he dealt with the Scythians and Cimmerians. In addition, it discusses Ashurbanipal's nervousness when a Cimmerian-Scythian king named Dugdammi threatened the Assyrian Empire. Because of Dugdammi's power, Ashurbanipal may have sent a Scythian chieftain named Madyes against Dugdammi to rid Assyria of its problem. Other topics in this book are the story of Cyaxares and the account found in The Fall of Nineveh Chronicle. In addition, this book examines Herodotus' book, The Histories, in order to understand Cyaxares' role in the fall of Assyria and whether or not Scythians and Cimmerians were present by providing an alternative to the Cyaxares story. Appendix I examines the arms and armor of the Cimmerians and Scythians. It discusses the many weapons used and touches upon the use of biological weapons. The purpose is to help the reader gain an understanding of their methodology in weaponry. Appendix II focuses on Scythian and Cimmerian battle tactics, such as swarming and feinting. It discusses their defensive tactics in depth by revisiting some of the accounts of such historians as Herodotus and Plutarch. The book focuses on inscriptions, the ancient historians' writings about the Scythians and Cimmerians, and the causes that led to the many battles against them. It also addresses how the Scythians and Cimmerians blended among the ranks of those who ruled them in times of war and peace.