ISSN 0320-961X (Print)
ISSN - (Online)


чужеземные культуры

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

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.