The famous Massagetan queen Tomiris lived in the 6th century BC, but her image is still popular today. In works of art she is often depicted as a swarthy beautiful woman with a warlike disposition. According to legend, it was her soldiers managed to kill the legendary Persian ruler Cyrus II the Great. This fatal battle for the Persians was connected with the personal tragedy of Tomiris.
She is a mother who lost her only, hotly loved son. This woman truly embodied the tenderness of a mother’s love and the incredible toughness of a warrior. There is even an assumption that the image of the leader of the Amazons in the ancient Greek myths was written with Tomiris. What was the life of the Massaget ruler? And what were the most significant pages for the queen of nomads?
Queen Tomyris with the head of Cyrus the Great.
Young heiress
In the 6th century B.C. the steppe expanses of modern Kazakhstan were inhabited by warlike nomadic Massaget tribes. The image of a Massaget warrior became a «classic» example of a warlike steppe nomad.
Many powerful rulers with strong armies and fortified borders of their powers tried to avoid the lands where they could encounter the Massagetes. These people were too warlike and unpredictable.
If to believe Herodotus, Tomiris was born in 570 BC. Her father was Spargapif, the famous Scythian king. It was he who educated the young heiress, instilling in her an interest in military affairs and politics.
At that time, a daughter could inherit the royal title if the ruler had no son heirs. Spargapif, who lost his wife early (according to legend, Tomiris’ mother died during childbirth) tried to turn his daughter into a worthy heiress. And, I want to note, he succeeded to the fullest extent.
When the girl was five years old, she was already dexterous with horses, perfectly kept in the saddle. A year later she already confidently held a short sword, and soon learned to use other weapons. In her teens, Tomiris was already able to shoot a bow with both hands, and often won at races.
The girl developed into an excellent warrior. In addition, Tomiris had a difficult character. She strived to get everything she wanted, but realized that to achieve the goal should make an effort. Contemporaries described her as a determined and formidable warrior. The only person Tomyris obeyed unconditionally was her father.
Tomyris, queen of the nomadic people
Tomiris’ favorite
During one of the festivities organized by Spargapif, the Scythian king was visited by guests — tigrahaudas led by the handsome Rustam. Tomiris offered each of the warriors to compete with her in her art. During the confrontation with Rustam the latter conceded the primacy to Tomiris, after which she took off her belt and threw it on the ground. This meant that the girl was ready to become his wife.
But, unfortunately, life in marriage disappointed Tomiris. Her husband spent his days in feasting and debauchery. After the death of his father, he gave up the place of the king of tigrahads to his younger brother — Rustam did not have the ambitious plans and ambitions that led Tomiris through life.
The only joy for Tomiris became her son Spargapis (it is possible, it has been named in honor of the father of the woman — there is an obvious consonance). After the death of King Spargapif and the imminent demise of Rustam, it was Tomiris who led the nomadic tribes.
Despite the fact that she had authority in the ranks of warriors and was brought up as an heiress from childhood, the status of queen was extremely hard for her. Tomiris realized that her people were surrounded by many enemies who would surely rush into the steppe lands if the Massagetae, Sakas and Scythians showed weakness.
Andrea del Castagno «Portrait of Tomyris»
The reign of Tomiris
To make the Massagetae tribes stronger, Tomiris had to learn from her enemies. Observing the development of warfare and technology of her enemies, the queen herself made a lot of army reforms. The heavy cavalry was created, banners began to be used, there appeared many thousands of women army. Undoubtedly, it was Tomiris who inspired the warriors of the fair sex.
In addition, nomads began to use special techniques during the attack. They hid behind the backs of their horses while galloping. The enemy could think that it was just a herd of horses rushing across the steppe. But soon enough the figures of the horsemen appeared, and the enemy, stunned by the suddenness, was attacked.
Tomiris, Queen of the Massagetae
Tragedy of a mother
The most ruthless battle of the reign of Tomiris was fought between the Massagetae and the Persian warriors led by the «King of Kings» Cyrus the Great. Despite the fact that the nomads won the victory, the Persians were not going to give up. With the help of a cunning maneuver they managed to capture a detachment of Massagetes. Tomiris was shocked — among the captives was her favorite son. In her letter to Cyrus she said:
«Blood-thirsty Cyrus, … give me my son and leave this country with impunity … If you do not, I swear to you by the sun, lord of the Massagetae, I will make you drunk with blood, though you are insatiable.»
Herodotus notes that the captive Spargapis waited until the fetters were removed from him, after which he killed himself — he preferred death to captivity. Realizing that Cyrus would not listen to her, Tomyris engaged in another battle with the Persians.
In this battle Cyrus the Great was killed. By order of Tomyris he was beheaded and crucified. The head of the «King of Kings» was dipped into a bowl filled with human blood. As Tomyris said:
«You have thirsted for blood, king of the Persians, so drink it now to your heart’s content!»
Peter Paul Rubens, «Queen Tomyris before the head of Cyrus.»
The story of the Persians falling in battle with the nomads is the last mention of Tomyris. Her fate is unknown, although there is an assumption that the ancient city of Tomis on the shore of the Black Sea was built by this formidable ruler. Historians can not say where the tomb of the famous queen of the Massagetes is located.
And although there are still a lot of mysteries, the fate of this woman is still of interest. In the character of Tomiris intricately intertwined tenderness and toughness, fearlessness and fear of a mother for her only son, whom, alas, she could not save.