Post by Lannes on Dec 24, 2004 23:09:06 GMT 3
There are two well known, and interesting Thracian tribes that showed striking similarities with their northern neighbors(the Scythians)- the Triballi and Getai.
Triballi- The Triballi occupied the territory north of the Haemus Mountains(in northwestern Thrace) as far north as the Istros(Danube) River. They were noted as being particulary unruly, and in fact, when most of Thrace was under the rule of the Odrysai, the Triballi remained independant. They are known to have fought with the Scythians(in fact, they were so ferocious that the Scythians had to use a reinforcement trick to best them). However, in the late 5th century BC, they lost the Triballian plain to an Illyrian tribe called the Autariatae, and later on, the Celts would cross the Danube and put pressure on them. Thusly, the Triballi were a huge mix of cultures and arms, comprising mainly of Illyrian, Celtic, and Scythian elements (in fact, they are known to have employed weapons typical of each of these influences).
The Getai- The Getai occupied the large area of northeastern Thrace north of the Haemus Mountains extending to the Danube. Their eastern border was the Black Sea, and their western border cut off Shipka Pass(about halfway through northern Thrace). The Getic military comprised largely of Scythian type cavalry(the richer men wore Scythian type scale armour and often Scythian scale leggings and the lighter men are known to have even worn the gorytos. The rest of the light arms are nearly identical to their Scythian counterparts). The Getai held the religious beleif the death was the passageway to endless paradise, so death didn't hold their fears(at least, in theory). When Alexander III invaded Getic territory, they couldn't match up to the might of the phalanx, so they retreated north of the Danube. However, Alexander ordered a bold night crossing of the river, and when his force arrived over the river, the Getai were so shocked to see such a large force cross the Danube so easily that they fled to their city. However, they realized their city didn't hold the proper defences to defend them, so they fled further, leaving the city to be looted by Alexander.
Triballi- The Triballi occupied the territory north of the Haemus Mountains(in northwestern Thrace) as far north as the Istros(Danube) River. They were noted as being particulary unruly, and in fact, when most of Thrace was under the rule of the Odrysai, the Triballi remained independant. They are known to have fought with the Scythians(in fact, they were so ferocious that the Scythians had to use a reinforcement trick to best them). However, in the late 5th century BC, they lost the Triballian plain to an Illyrian tribe called the Autariatae, and later on, the Celts would cross the Danube and put pressure on them. Thusly, the Triballi were a huge mix of cultures and arms, comprising mainly of Illyrian, Celtic, and Scythian elements (in fact, they are known to have employed weapons typical of each of these influences).
The Getai- The Getai occupied the large area of northeastern Thrace north of the Haemus Mountains extending to the Danube. Their eastern border was the Black Sea, and their western border cut off Shipka Pass(about halfway through northern Thrace). The Getic military comprised largely of Scythian type cavalry(the richer men wore Scythian type scale armour and often Scythian scale leggings and the lighter men are known to have even worn the gorytos. The rest of the light arms are nearly identical to their Scythian counterparts). The Getai held the religious beleif the death was the passageway to endless paradise, so death didn't hold their fears(at least, in theory). When Alexander III invaded Getic territory, they couldn't match up to the might of the phalanx, so they retreated north of the Danube. However, Alexander ordered a bold night crossing of the river, and when his force arrived over the river, the Getai were so shocked to see such a large force cross the Danube so easily that they fled to their city. However, they realized their city didn't hold the proper defences to defend them, so they fled further, leaving the city to be looted by Alexander.
