22. Defying Darius the Great of Persia
In 513 BC, Persia’s King Darius I sought to end Scythian raids on his empire by conquering the Scythians. Assembling a huge army, he launched an invasion along the western Black Sea coast, and into today’s southern Ukraine and Russia. The Scythians simply retreated into the vastness of the Steppe, taking their families and herds with them.
Avoiding the decisive pitched battle Darius sought, the Scythians laid waste the countryside, blocking wells and destroying pastures, while attriting the invaders with skirmishes and hit and run attacks. A frustrated Darius challenged the Scythians’ king, Idanthyrsus, to stop fleeing and fight. Else, he should admit his weakness and submit, recognizing the Persians as his lords. The Scythians did the equivalent of telling Darius to go fly a kite.