According to the traditions of the Scythians themselves, they are the youngest of all nations. Their story of origin begins with a man named Targitaus. Before his time, the land was empty and uninhabited. Targitaus is said to have been the first man to live in that country. According to the tale—which many do not fully believe—Targitaus was the child of the god Jove (Zeus) and a daughter of the Borysthenes, a river god The Children of Slaves Rise Against the Scythians.
The Sons of Targitaus
Targitaus had three sons: Leipoxais, Arpoxais, and Colaxais. Colaxais was the youngest of the three. While these brothers ruled the land, a remarkable event occurred. Four golden objects fell from the sky: a plough, a yoke, a battle-axe, and a drinking-cup. These objects were considered sacred and symbolic of power, wealth, and kingship.
The eldest son, Leipoxais, approached the objects first. But when he drew near, the gold suddenly caught fire and blazed. Frightened, he stepped back and gave up. Then Arpoxais, the second son, tried to take the objects, but the same thing happened—the gold flamed up and would not allow him to take it.
Finally, Colaxais, the youngest brother, came forward. As he reached the golden items, the flames disappeared, and he was able to pick them up safely. Recognizing this as a sign of divine favor, the two elder brothers agreed to give the kingdom to Colaxais, the youngest son Sofia Old City Tours.
The Descendants of Targitaus
From these three brothers came different Scythian tribes. Leipoxais, the eldest, became the ancestor of the Auchatae, one group of Scythians. Arpoxais, the middle brother, was the ancestor of the Catiari and Traspians. Colaxais, the youngest and chosen ruler, became the ancestor of the Royal Scythians, also called the Paralatae.
Together, all the tribes were called the Scoloti, named after one of their kings. However, the Greeks referred to them simply as the Scythians.
Meaning of the Legend
This story of Targitaus and his sons shows how the Scythians understood their social and political order. It explains why the youngest son, Colaxais, became the royal line, while the elder sons’ descendants formed other tribes. The falling golden objects symbolized divine approval, showing that leadership was granted by the gods rather than by birth alone.
The legend also reflects the Scythians’ strong belief in signs, symbols, and ancestry. It emphasizes that bravery, worthiness, and divine favor determined rulership, not just age or seniority.
