The Scythians were historically not really a nation as we would think of it today, but a shifting confederation of tribes sharing the Steppe/horse nomad way of life. As a highly mobile people known mostly through second-hand accounts - predominantly Greek, Median and Persian - not much is known for sure about their culture and political organisation, except they tended to be organised on a tribe >> clan >> family basis. Their sphere of influence extended from the Pontic Steppe right into Central Asia.

In ATW2:EE various different tribes are represented as belonging to the faction once it controls certain territory. The people known as Scyths by the Greeks, were called the 'Saka across the Sea' or 'Western Saka' by the Medians and Persians. Different units represent certain specialities of different tribes, giving the faction a little more flexibility than pure horse-archers. There will be units available from the Syths proper, Saka, Massagetae, Parthians*, Dahae and Sarmatians.

*(Parthians may seem a bit anachronistic for 560BC, however the original Parthians were a single family of the Parni clan of the Dahae Tribe)

Rise of Persia Scenario

The Scythians' start position

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TROOP ROSTER

  • Scythian Nobles (Royal unit) - elite, armoured horse archers
  • Scythian Cavalry - medium horse archers (as per HTW original)
  • Scythian Archers - infantry
  • Scythian Warband - axe-infantry
  • Sarmation Heavy Lancers - shock cavalry
  • Saka Scouts - fast light cavalry, can hide in the open, lightly armed but very fast
  • Parthian Cavalry - heavy cavalry with axes - armour piercing and experts at fighting other cavalry
  • Massagetae Horse Archers - light skirmishers
  • Gelonian Militia - medium spears from the Graeco-Scyth Geloni people



General 'pagan culture' troops also available:

  • Heavy slingers
  • Tribal Archers
  • Tribal spearmen



Most troops have a geographically-restricted recruitment zone (eg Scyth Nobles and Gelonians are ONLY available in the province of Scythia; Sarmatians in Scythia and Sarmatia; Parthians in Dahaea, Parthia and Bactria etc) so the different tribes will need to be subjugated by the Scythian Chieftain if he wants to recruit their troops to his armies. Start pos armies in rebel provinces will usually feature at least one 'provincial-speciality' troop type - so expect to meet Massagetae Horse Archers when invading Massagetia etc.

A quick taster: some battle stats and a glimpse of my Gelonian Militia taking out the Thracian King:



This faction is still under development at present, so changes almost certainly will occur before release.