Histories

The eighth is the +Azov [39.433,47.1] (inhabited place), Rostov, Rossiya, Russia, Asia Tanaïs river;[*](The Don.) in its upper course, this begins by flowing out of a great lake, and enters a yet greater lake called the Maeetian, which divides the Royal Scythians from the Sauromatae; another river, called Hyrgis,[*](Perhaps the “Syrgis” of Hdt. 4.123; it may be the modern Donetz.) is a tributary of this +Azov [39.433,47.1] (inhabited place), Rostov, Rossiya, Russia, Asia Tanaïs.

These are the rivers of note with which the Scythians are provided. For rearing cattle, the grass growing in Scythia (region (general)), AsiaScythia is the most productive of bile of all pastures which we know; that this is so can be judged by opening up the bodies of the cattle.

The most important things are thus provided them. It remains now to show the customs which are established among them. The only gods whom they propitiate are these: Hestia in particular, and secondly Zeus and Earth, whom they believe to be the wife of Zeus; after these, Apollo, and the Heavenly Aphrodite, and Heracles, and Ares. All the Scythians worship these as gods; the Scythians called Royal sacrifice to Poseidon also.

In the Scythian tongue, Hestia is called Tabiti; Zeus (in my judgment most correctly so called) Papaeus;[*](As the “All-Father”; cp. such words as pa/pas, papi/as, etc.) Earth is Apia; Apollo Goetosyrus; the Heavenly Aphrodite Argimpasa; Poseidon Thagimasadas. It is their practice to make images and altars and shrines for Ares, but for no other god.