Histories

But as regards foreign customs, the Scythians (like others) very much shun practising those of any other country, and particularly of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, as was proved in the case of Anacharsis and also of Scyles.

For when Anacharsis was coming back to the Scythian country after having seen much of the world in his travels and given many examples of his wisdom, he sailed through the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont and put in at +Cyzicus [27.9,40.4167] (Perseus) Cyzicus;

where, finding the Cyzicenes celebrating the feast of the Mother of the Gods with great ceremony, he vowed to this same Mother that if he returned to his own country safe and sound he would sacrifice to her as he saw the Cyzicenes doing, and establish a nightly rite of worship.

So when he came to Scythia (region (general)), AsiaScythia, he hid himself in the country called Woodland (which is beside the Race of Achilles, and is all overgrown with every kind of timber); hidden there, Anacharsis celebrated the goddess' ritual with exactness, carrying a small drum and hanging images about himself.

Then some Scythian saw him doing this and told the king, Saulius; who, coming to the place himself and seeing Anacharsis performing these rites, shot an arrow at him and killed him. And now the Scythians, if they are asked about Anacharsis, say they have no knowledge of him; this is because he left his country for Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas and followed the customs of strangers.

But according to what I heard from Tymnes, the deputy for Ariapithes, Anacharsis was an uncle of Idanthyrsus king of Scythia (region (general)), AsiaScythia, and he was the son of Gnurus, son of Lycus, son of Spargapithes. Now if Anacharsis was truly of this family, then let him know he was slain by his own brother; for Idanthyrsus was the son of Saulius, and it was Saulius who killed Anacharsis.