Below is the fifteenth in a series of articles from Mark McLaughlin showcasing the 16 civilizations in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East. You can find the first fourteen articles in the series here.

They thrice aspired to the supreme command in Asia; while they themselves remain unmolested or unconquered by any foreign power. Darius, king of Persia, they forced to quit Scythia in disgraceful flight. They slew Cyrus with his whole army. They cut off in like manner, Zopyrion, a general of Alexander’s, with all of his forces.

Strabo, Geography (20 BC)

The Scythians were a terrifying collective of nomadic horse tribes which ruled the great steppes beyond the Danube and the Black Sea. Their warrior queen, Tomyris, not only defeated Cyrus the Great and his Persian invaders but also allegedly lopped off the emperor’s head and returned it inside a wineskin filled with blood. She did so, as the tale recounted by Herodotus goes, “to quench his thirst for blood.” The Scythians, however, were more than just riders on the range. They developed a rich culture complete with sacred burial rituals and intricate works of art.

In the game, the Scythians are a mobile warrior civilization whose bonus only applies during the Competition Phase. Thus, they are ideal for those who wish to play Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East as if it were predominantly a war game – which it does or does not have to be (unless players wish it to be such). Starting in the very northeast corner of the game board, their flanks are much more secure than those of most other civilizations, and while they are far away from the Fertile areas of Mesopotamia, they do have easy access to the Caspian Sea, the second largest body of water on the board and that could open a host of possibilities.

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Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Sumerians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Egyptians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Elamites

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Indus Valley Civilizations (or “Dravidians, Harappans, and Mauryans, oh my!”)

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Assyrians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Akkadians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Babylonians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Hittites

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Mittani

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Sea Peoples

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Israelites

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Cimmerians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Medes & Persians

Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East: Meet the Chaldeans