The Scythian empire Central Eurasia and the birth of the classical age from Persia to China

The Scythian Empire is the latest study of ancient and medieval Central Asia by Beckwith (Indiana Univ.). This book's theme, as indicated by its subtitle, is essentially an expansion of Karl Jasper's Axial Age thesis, arguing that the Axial Age revolution originated in Central Asia and was spread throughout Eurasia by the nomadic founders of the Scythian Empire. After a prologue on Central Eurasian innovators, four chapters trace the history of the Scythian Empire in the Eurasian steppes, Media and Central Asia, Persia, and the origin of the Scythian royal lineage. The following two chapters discuss the evidence for the Scythian language. The book's final two chapters use linguistic evidence to identify the Scythian role in early Chinese history, and an epilogue argues that the founders of Zoroastrianism, Greek philosophy, early Buddhism, and Daoism were either Scythians or influenced by Scythian thought. Appendixes on Zoroastrianism and Median and Persian dress and weaponry close out the book, followed by endnotes. Like the author's other books, this one will be controversial, not least because of the radical reinterpretation of the linguistic history of Central Asia on which much of its argument relies. Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. --Stanley M. Burstein, emeritus, California State University, Los Angeles

The nomadic Scythians (700--300 BCE), based in Central Asia, are known primarily for their skill as mounted warriors. Beckwith (Central Eurasian studies, Indiana Univ.; Greek Buddha) argues that they left an impactful legacy on religion and philosophy that hasn't traditionally been recognized. Evidence for these claims comes from two main sources: contemporary Greek, Chinese, and other sources, as well as a philological analysis showing how some important words in multiple languages have Scythian origins. With this evidence, Beckwith asserts that the Achaemenid Persian Empire (550--330 BCE) was a continuation and expansion of an earlier empire founded by the Scythians. The author also claims that the State of Zhao, during China's Warring States period (475--221 BCE), was founded by Scythians. An intriguing epilogue concludes that Zoroaster (Zoroastrianism), Gautama Buddha (Buddhism), and Laozi (Daoism) were either Scythian or heavily influenced by them. VERDICT Highly recommended for all students of the Scythians and Classical Persia or China. A similar work that focuses on the archeological evidence left by the Scythians is Barry Cunliffe's The Scythians.--Joshua Wallace