> Schythians

Schythians or Schynthians are the major missing subject of ancient history. Heredotus is the main source of information about them. Schythians are surely related with 'kurgan' tombs of Central Asia. The golden armour with a comet helmet is found in a 'kurgan' near Issik Köl.

Schythians are accepted as "Saka" Turks by many Turkish Scholars. Adile Ayda relates "Saka" Turks to Etruscans, Pelasgians and Basques of South Europe.
Adile Ayda, Etrüskler (Tursakalar) Türk idiler, Ankara, 1992, 391 p. in Turkish.

Kazim Mirsan connects the Schythians mentioned by Heredotus to the key text of Proto-Turkish named 'Alti Yariq Tigin'. This is a text written on 3 pages of paper found by Hungarian Turcologist Aurel Stein, in 1907 at Miran Castle in Eastern Turkistan. According to Mirsan paralellism with Heredotus, enables to date the war mentioned in the text to 534 BC.

The passage IV/134 of Heredotus mentions very interesting details of the war between Persian King Darius and Schythians which give an idea on the character of the people: While the two armies are aligned to start combat, a rabbit passes in front of the Schythians and all of them follow the rabbit. Darius decides to retreat after confusion.

The story of Alexander's meeting with a people at the other side of the river Oxus in Central Asia is also similar, which explains Alexander not crossing the river and turning to south.

The Scythians are considered as civilized nomads and the legend of Amazons, the female warriors are also associated to them.