Idanthyrsus(Ἰδάνθυρσος).
1. A king of the Scythians, under whom, according to Strabo, they overran Asia, and advanced
as far as Egypt. This was perhaps the incursion mentioned by Herodotus, who tells us that they
held Asia for 28 years, and were ultimately driven out by Cyaxares, B. C.
607. According to Herodotus, however, the king, who led the expedition of which he
gives an account, was Madyas; and Madyas is mentioned by Strabo (i.
p.61) as king of the
Cimmerians. An incursion of the Scythians to the
borders of Egypt in very early times is recorded by Justin, but in an obscure and
unsatisfactory way. (
Strab. xv. p.687;
Hdt. 1.15,
103_
106,
4.11,
12,
67,
7.20;
Just. 2.3; Clint.
F. H. vol. i. sub annis 634, 632, 608, 607.)