Herodotus’ stories about Anacharsis and Scyles: Scythians and xeinika nomaia (Hdt. IV.76–80)

Abstract

Herodotus’ logos about Scythians and ξεινικὰ νόμαια – amusing and ominous, as is typical of him, yet insightful – consists of two stories about the sad lots of Anacharsis and Scyles; the story begins with a statement that Scythians shun practicing customs of other peoples, particularly those of Hellas; it ends as an adage asserting the initial statement: that is the way Scythians guard their customs (IV.76–80). Herodotus describes the barbarian neighbours’ attitude towards foreign and alien customs. But these two examples are about their own, Scythian, heroes or rather antiheroes. The Scythian kings make short work not of aliens but of their fellow countrymen who betrayed their own customs and deny their ancestors’ faith. The Scythians regard Anacharsis’ and Scyles’ deeds as a crime against their culture. Both the philhellenes forswear their native religion and customs and abandon themselves to Greek ritual practices; therefore, they suffer for their behaviour. The author of the article holds that Herodotus was sympathetic to Scythians’ resentment against ξεινικὰ νόμαια. The Greek historian writes for his, Greek, readers/audience. The stories about Anacharsis and Scyles are not as much about the notorious ‘otherness’ of different cultures and certainly not about their severity and savageness, their cruelty and antipathy towards outlandishness. The Father of History speaks about piety and patriotism of Scythians, who believe that the offence against νόμαια is a threat to the very foundation of their culture. These illustrative examples are meant for the Hellenic audience; the amusing λόγοι about Oriental themes serve as an entreaty for Hellenes themselves.

Keywords

• herodotus
• logos
• customs
• foreign cultures
• scythes
• hellenes
• anacharsis
• scyles
• crime and punishment
• novel
• legend