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Sarmatians were a confederation of nomadic tribes of Iranian origin (including the Alans, Iazyges, and Roxolani), which played an important role in the history of Eastern and Central Europe from around the 5th century BCE until the 4th century CE Inhabiting the vast steppes north of the Black Sea, they occupied the territories of today’s Ukraine, Russia and partly Poland. Their relationship with ancient Rome was dynamic, involving both alliances and conflicts, as well as intense cultural exchange.
Origin and expansion of the Sarmatians
Sarmatians came from the same ethnic group as the Scythians, and their language belonged to the Iranian family. The culture of the Sarmatians was dominated by nomadic life, strong tribal structures and a warlike lifestyle. Their distinctive cavalry, armed with long spears (kontos), was one of the most effective military units of antiquity. Sarmatians quickly began to dominate the steppes of Eastern Europe, displacing the Scythians and coming into contact with various European and Asian peoples.
Relations with ancient Rome
The Sarmatians appeared in Roman history in the early 1st century CE, mainly as neighbours and potential allies or enemies on the empire’s borders. The most important areas of their contact with the Romans included the northern provinces of the empire, such as Dacia (today’s Romania), Moesia (today’s Serbia and Bulgaria) and Pannonia (today’s Hungary).
Military alliances
One of the most characteristic aspects of the Sarmatians’ relationship with Rome was periodic military alliances. The Romans, aware of the military skills of the Sarmatians, often used their help to defend their northern borders. Sarmatians, as mercenaries, often served in the Roman army, and their heavy-armed cavalry was valued for its fighting skills.
During the reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius (161–180 CE), Rome struggled with many barbarian invasions, including the Sarmatians. In 169–175 CE, during the Marcomannic Wars, the Sarmatians fought against Rome, attacking the borders of the Danube. Ultimately, the Romans defeated them, forcing them to enter into an alliance under which thousands of Sarmatians were resettled to the Empire and conscripted into the army.
There is a famous episode when approximately 5,500 Sarmatian horsemen were settled in Britain after the end of the Marcomannic Wars, where they served as border guards. Some historians suggest that the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table may have had its roots in Sarmatian mythology, brought to Britain by these settlers.
Wars and conflicts
Despite the alliances, the Sarmatians’ relations with Rome were also marked by numerous conflicts. The Sarmatians, controlling the steppes north of the Danube and east of the Carpathians, posed a frequent threat to the Roman frontier provinces. Their raids on Dacia, Moesia and Pannonia were frequent causes of war.
Sarmatians were particularly actively involved in conflicts with Rome during the Dacian wars led by emperor Trajan in 101-102 and 105-106 CE. In these wars, they were allies of the Dacians, who put up strong resistance to the Roman conquests. Although Dacia was eventually conquered by Trajan, the Sarmatians continued their independence, becoming a significant force in the region.
Cultural influences
Relations with Rome also brought intense cultural exchange. The Sarmatians adopted some elements of Roman material culture, such as weapons and clothing. In turn, the Romans, especially in the border provinces, drew inspiration from the Sarmatians in terms of cavalry organization. The Sarmatian fashion of long, gold-decorated billets and heavy armour influenced the way the Romans organized their cavalry troops.
Sarmatians in Roman mythology and literature
Sarmatians were present in Roman literature, where they were often depicted as savage and warlike barbarians, but at the same time admired for their bravery and military skills. Tacitus, in his workGermania, mentions the Sarmatians as people of the steppes who differed from the Germans in lifestyle and appearance, but, like them, were a threat to the Roman borders.
Fall of the Sarmatians
Like many other nomadic peoples, the Sarmatians began to lose their dominant position in Eastern and Central Europe as a result of the migration of new ethnic groups. In the 4th century CE the Huns came to the steppes and effectively destroyed the Sarmatian tribes, forcing them to flee or assimilate with other peoples.
Sarmatians gradually disappeared from history as a separate people, but their legacy survived both in European cultures and in the Roman army, where they left their mark as excellent horsemen and warriors.
