Antae
The Antae were a loose confederation of tribes primarily located in what is now Ukraine and Moldova, first documented by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder in the first century CE. Their origins remain somewhat unclear, although they are generally considered to be Slavic, with influences from Persian-speaking groups such as the Scythians and Sarmatians. By the third century CE, the Antae emerged as a dominant force in southern Ukraine, organizing their society around family groups led by a patriarch, with land held communally and governance managed by a council of family chiefs. The king was typically one of these chiefs, reflecting a structured yet collaborative leadership model. The Antae played a significant role in uniting surrounding Slavic tribes against various invaders, including the Scythians, Sarmatians, Goths, and Huns. By the fifth century CE, their culture had absorbed influences from a diverse array of surrounding civilizations, indicating a rich intercultural exchange. The history and dynamics of the Antae highlight the complexities of tribal societies in ancient Eastern Europe.
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Antae
Date: 200-300 c.e.
Locale: Northeast shores of the Black Sea
Antae
The Antae (AHN-tah-eh), a loose confederation of tribes in what became the Ukraine and Moldova, were first mentioned by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder in the first century c.e. Pliny provided very little information, however, and later Roman and Germanic writers did not greatly improve the situation. The origins of these people are therefore somewhat obscure.
By the third century c.e., the Antae were the dominant power in the southern Ukraine, an area inhabited by Slavic tribes. They seem to have been Slavs themselves, though there is some dispute about this. They may have been related to, and were certainly influenced by, the Persian-speaking Scythians and the Sarmatians.
The Antae culture was based on family groups, with the father the undisputed leader. They had highly organized agriculture and held the land in common, with tribal groups ruled by a council of family chiefs. The king of the Antae was one of these chiefs.
The Antae rose to prominence by assuming leadership of the surrounding Slavic tribes against numerous invaders. These included the Scythians and Sarmatians and later the Germanic Goths and the Asiatic Huns. As a result, by about the fifth century c.e., the southern Slavs, including the Antae, were influenced by a wide variety of cultures.
Bibliography
Freeze, Gregory L., ed. Russia: A History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Lawrence, John. A History of Russia. 7th ed. New York: Meridian, 1993.