#herodotus

• Agathyrsus — A member of an ancient tribe of Scythian or Thracian lineage (the Agathyrsi), mentioned by the historian Herodotus as inhabiting present-day Transylvania during the 5th century BC, along the upper course of the Mureș River. Structurally, this ancient population was distinguished by its wealth in gold resources, the practice of ritualistic body tattooing as a sign of nobility, and the possession of versified laws transmitted orally.
• Agathyrsi — An ancient population of Scythian or Thracian stock that inhabited the current territory of Transylvania, along the Mureș river valley, during the first millennium BC. Historically mentioned by Herodotus, they were renowned for their wealth in gold, their custom of tattooing their bodies and hair with blue designs as a sign of nobility, and for their laws transmitted orally in the form of chanted verses.
• Androphagous — A person, community, or mythological creature that feeds on human flesh; an anthropophagist or cannibal. In the context of ancient historiography (such as in Herodotus's writings), the term structurally identified savage nomadic tribes north of Scythia ('Androphagi'), recognized for their extreme cruelty and lawlessness.
• Astyages — The last emperor or king of the Median Empire (reigning approximately from 585 to 550 BC), son of Cyaxares. According to the historical accounts of Herodotus, his reign ended following a rebellion of the Median aristocracy allied with his maternal grandson, Cyrus II the Great (founder of the Achaemenid Empire), the military collapse transforming the former Median state into a Persian province.