Amazonians, Queens, Priestesses

Almost two thousand years ago, the warlike Sarmatians ruled the Ukrainian steppes.

By National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Almost two thousand years ago, the warlike Sarmatians ruled the Ukrainian steppes. The first mention of them belongs to Herodotus, who in his "History" told a legend about the origin of the Sarmatians from the marriage of Amazons with young Scythian men.

Sewn-on plaques – garment trinkets, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

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In the 1st millennium BCE the Sarmatians occupied most of the Volga-Ural-Caspian steppes. At the end of IV–III centuries BCE they entered the political arena of Eastern Europe as a powerful and active military force. From that time on, Greek authors constantly mention them, speaking of the territories to the east and north of Meotida (Sea of Azov). And from the 1st century BC, when the Sarmatians conquered the Dnieper Right Border, the name "Scythia" is replaced by "Sarmatia" on Roman maps.

Phaleraes, Unknown, 2th century BCE - 1th century BCE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

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A peculiarity of the Sarmatians was the high position of women, their active participation in social life and military operations. Ancient writers often call the Sarmatians a people who obey women. Sarmatian women could lead tribes and perform priestly functions.

Sarmatian Ring, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Goddess Figurine, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

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Hryvna. Neck ring (1th century BCE - 1th century CE) by UnknownNational Museum of the History of Ukraine

The high social status of women

is evidenced by exquisite jewelry, in particular gold hryvnias, made in a polychrome style. The combination of gold and blue inserts is characteristic of Sarmatian jewelry and makes it possible to talk about the gold-turquoise Sarmatian style.

Masks (Second half of 1th century CE - 2th century CE) by UnknownNational Museum of the History of Ukraine

It is significant that, in addition to jewelry, items of weaponry and horse harness were often placed in the grave of a deceased woman.

For almost 600 years, the Antique world – the states of the Northern Black Sea region, the provinces of the Roman Empire – felt fear of the formidable power of the Sarmatians. Ovid, who was sent into exile in Tomis on the Black Sea coast, was one of the first to mention the Sarmatians as fierce warriors and compared them to the war god Mars. It is known that Sarmatian mercenaries even served in the Roman army.

Mirror, Unknown, Second half of 1th century CE - 2th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Oinochoe or Wine Jug, Unknown, Second half of 1th century CE - 2th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Chalice or cup, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

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Despite their militancy, the Sarmatians still remained true women: they loved beautiful clothes and exquisite jewelry.

Sarmatian Bracelet, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Sarmatian Earrings, Unknown, 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Sarmatian Fibula Brooch, Unknown, 1th century BCE - 1th century CE, From the collection of: National Museum of the History of Ukraine

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Credits: Story

Research and text: Yevheniia Velychko
Project Сurator: Nataliia Panchenko
Technical implementation: Oleg Mitiukhin, Oksana Mitiukhina, Liudmyla Klymuk
Text editor: Yevgeniia Lebid-Hrebeniuk
Translation: Dmytro Mitiukhin
Selection of exhibits: Yevheniia Velychko
Photographer: Dmytro Klochko

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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