Sorbaadids

Sorbaadids were a nomadic group of people who inhabited the Eurasian Steppe during the late Iron Age and early medieval period. Their origins are somewhat debated, with some scholars suggesting a link to earlier Scythian or Sarmatian populations. They are primarily known through the accounts of neighboring settled civilizations, particularly those in the East and West, who encountered them as raiders, traders, and sometimes mercenaries.

The Sorbaadids were renowned for their horsemanship and military prowess, typical of steppe peoples. Their society was likely organized around tribal structures, with chieftains leading kin-based groups. Archaeological evidence, though sometimes difficult to definitively attribute, suggests a culture that relied on pastoralism, with their lifestyle dictated by the seasonal movements of their herds. Metalworking, particularly in bronze and iron, was likely a significant craft, producing weapons, tools, and decorative items.

Their historical impact is often intertwined with the broader movements of peoples across the steppe. They may have played a role in the complex political landscape of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, interacting with and influencing various empires and kingdoms. The decline of the Sorbaadids as a distinct entity is often attributed to assimilation into larger groups or displacement by subsequent waves of migrants and conquerors who traversed the Eurasian Steppe.