Tomyris, Queen of the Massagetae Lore Books

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On Tomyris, the brave Queen of the Massagetae

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Tomyris
Queen of the Massagetae

Tomyris was the queen of the Massagetae, a nomadic people who once inhabited the lands of present-day Persia. Although the Massagetae were predominantly pastoralists, there is no question of their being peaceful. They were fearsome archers mounted on their horses, and their infantry wielded axes and spears. They sacrificed horses to their sun god, and the writings of ancient historians show that they were not averse to eating human flesh.

The Massagetae waged war against the newly formed Persian Empire, which was united under the rule of Cyrus II the Great. However, the first forays against the Persian armies ended in failure, and the Persians did not even consider the small nomadic nation, led by a woman, as an equal opponent. On the next occasion, Cyrus managed not only to defeat, but also to disgrace Tomyris, thanks to the ruse of leaving behind a well-stocked camp full of food, and especially wine.

The Massagetae, who were not accustomed to the effects of alcohol, became drunk within moments and were unable to defend themselves against the surprise attack of the Persians. Most of them were slaughtered, with the exception of Spargapis, their commander and the son of Queen Tomyris. He, however, rather than suffer the ignominy of defeat and captivity, ended his life by his own hand.

When the queen learned from the messenger of the stratagem by which the Persians had succeeded in depriving her of her son, she replied to Cyrus II with the promise, “I will give you so much blood to drink that you will not be able to swallow it.” She then placed herself at the head of her army and in the ensuing battle slaughtered most of the Persian army. Cyrus II himself fell that day. The story goes that Tomyris sought out his body after the battle, cut off his head, and with the words “Drink plenty!” threw it into a wineskin filled with blood.