A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Σκύθης).

1. Tyrant or ruler of Zancle in Sicily, about 494 B. C. The Zanclaeans had sent to Ionia to invite colonists to join them in founding a new city on the Καλὴ Ἀκτή, or north shore of Sicily, and the offer had been accepted by a large body of Samians, together with some fugitives from Miletus; but when they arrived at Locri, Scythes, at the head of the Zanclaeans, was engaged in hostilities against the Sicels, and the Samians were persuaded by Anaxilas of Rhegium to take advantage of his absence, and occupy the city of Zancle itself. Hereupon Scythes called in the assistance of his ally, Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela, but the latter proved no less perfidious than the Samians, and immediately on his arrival threw Scythes himself and his brother Pythogenes into chains, and sent them prisoners to Inycus, while lie betrayed his allies the Zanclaeans

into the hands of the Samians. Scythes, however, contrived to make his escape to Himera, and from thence repaired to Asia, to the court of Dareius, king of Persia, where he was received with much distinction, and rose to a high place in the king's favour. He afterwards revisited his native city, but again returned to the Persian court, where he died at an advanced age, and in the possession of great wealth, while he enjoyed general esteem for the probity of his character (Hdt. 6.23, 24; Ael. VH 8.17). It is remarkable that Herodotus, while he designates Anaxilas and Hippocrates as tyrants (τύραννοι) of their respective cities, styles Scythes king (βασιλεύς) or monarch (μούναρχος) of the Zanclaeans.