Cimmerians
Cimmerians
The Cimmerians were an ancient Eastern Iranic equestrian nomadic people originating in the Pontic-Caspian steppe, part of whom subsequently migrated into West Asia. Although the Cimmerians were culturally Scythian, they formed an ethnic unit separate from the Scythians proper, to whom the Cimmerians were related, and who displaced and replaced the Cimmerians.
Origins and Migration
The Cimmerians are believed to have emerged as a distinct group during the early 1st millennium BC. They were part of the larger migration of Iranian peoples, who are fundamentally a branch of the Indo-Iranians. The Indo-Iranians themselves were a key subset of the expansive Indo-European migrations, which saw the spread of Proto-Indo-European-speaking peoples from the Pontic-Caspian steppe across a vast area of Eurasia.
The Cimmerians are first mentioned in Assyrian records of the 8th century BC. These records describe Cimmerian invasions and movements, particularly into Asia Minor. The Cimmerians also left their mark on Phrygia, and were noted as formidable warriors and mercenaries.
Cultural and Archaeological Context
Despite their cultural similarities with the Scythians, the Cimmerians maintained a distinct identity. Archaeologically, they are often linked with the Chernogorovka-Novocherkassk complex, a cultural horizon that spans the Eurasian Steppe. This archaeological context helps differentiate them from other Iranian-speaking groups of the time.
The Cimmerians did not leave behind written records of their own, and much of what is known about them comes from the accounts of other civilizations. Graeco-Roman authors, for instance, provided detailed descriptions in the 5th century BC and later periods about the Cimmerians' interactions with other groups.
Relations with the Scythians and Other Iranian Peoples
The Scythians and Cimmerians share a Proto-Iranian heritage, and their nomadic lifestyles were largely similar. However, historical sources such as Herodotus clearly distinguished between the two as separate political entities. The Scythians eventually displaced the Cimmerians from their original territories in the Pontic-Caspian steppe. This movement is considered part of the wider Scythian expansion during the early 1st millennium BC.
Other significant Iranian peoples contemporary with the Cimmerians include the Alans, Bactrians, Dahae, Khwarazmians, Massagetae, Medes, Parthians, Persians, Sagartians, Sakas, Sarmatians, and Sogdians.
Legacy
Although the Cimmerians were eventually replaced or assimilated by other cultures, their legacy persists through their contributions to the cultural and genetic makeup of the regions they inhabited. Modern Iranian peoples such as the Kurds, Persians, Pashtuns, and Tajiks can trace aspects of their heritage back to these ancient nomadic groups.