Kimmerians

The Kimmerians were an ancient people who inhabited the Pontic-Caspian steppe, a vast grassland region north of the Black Sea. Their origins are debated by historians and archaeologists, but they are generally believed to have emerged in the region during the late Bronze Age. Evidence suggests they were a nomadic or semi-nomadic society, skilled in horsemanship and warfare.

The first written mention of the Kimmerians comes from the Assyrian inscriptions of the 8th century BCE. These records describe them as formidable warriors who invaded the Assyrian Empire and surrounding territories. Their incursions led to significant upheaval in the Near East, and they are often associated with the destruction of the kingdom of Urartu. The Kimmerians also appear in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who placed them in a region north of Scythia.

Archaeological findings, such as burial mounds containing bronze weapons and horse trappings, have helped to shed light on Kimmerian culture. While their exact language is unknown, it is thought to have been an Iranian language, placing them within the broader Indo-Iranian linguistic family. The Kimmerians eventually disappeared from historical records, likely assimilated by or displaced by other groups, most notably the Scythians, who came to dominate the Pontic steppe in the 7th century BCE. Their legacy persists as a significant, albeit enigmatic, force in the history of the ancient Near East and Eastern Europe.