The Scythian Empire: Central Eurasia and the Birth of the Classical Age from Persia to China (Christopher I. Beckwith)

Central Asia has been the home to some of history’s largest empires. You’re likely familiar with the Mongols, who dominated in the 13th Century. You may remember the Huns, who migrated west from Central Asia and dominated parts of Eastern Europe in the 4th and 5th Centuries. One group that is not as well known to history buffs is the Scythians, who dominated and influenced large swaths of Eastern Europe and Asia in the centuries before Alexander the Great and the Romans.

Christopher I Beckwith’s book The Scythian Empire: Central Eurasia and the Birth of the Classical Age from Persia to China is a well-researched, highly detailed history of the Scythians and how they influenced philosophy, religion, politics, warfare, and culture. At the height of their power and influence, the Scythians influenced territory ranging from Mongolia and Manchuria in the East to the shores of the Black Sea in the West. Beckwith points out Scythian influence through the fact that three capital cities in very different parts of Asia all had the same name, Agamatana. Additionally, detailed research shows Scythian influence of language on Persian and Chinese.

The Scythian Empire is very detailed, perhaps at times too much so for those who aren’t experts in pre-Roman history. There was one chapter that I had to read at least a couple of times to understand better. However, Beckwith does a great job of highlighting the importance these early influencers had on world culture before the Romans or Alexander the Great came along…and the Scythians made their mark without a smartphone or an Instagram account to reach the masses.

MY RATING - 4.5