Anacharsis

Anacharsis was a Scythian prince and philosopher of uncertain historicity who lived in the 6th century BC. He was the brother of the Scythian king Saulius and son of Gnurus. He is known to have traveled to Greece, where he may have been influenced by Greek culture. Anacharsis was eventually killed by his brother Saulius for performing sacrifices to the Scythian Snake-Legged Goddess in an orgiastic and shamanistic ritual. Herodotus claimed he was killed for renouncing Scythian customs for Greek ones, but this is likely untrue. His religious practices were more aligned with the Scythian Anarya priesthood. Later Graeco-Roman tradition transformed Anacharsis into a legendary figure, a 'noble savage' representing 'Barbarian wisdom.' He was included as one of the Seven Sages of Greece, and legends arose about him, including being a friend of Solon. The historian Ephorus of Cyme used this image to idealize the Scythians. Anacharsis became an ideal 'man of nature' figure and a favorite of the Cynics, who ascribed to him the 'Letters of Anacharsis.' Lucian wrote two works about him. Due to this transformation, most ancient writings about him focus on Greek literature, making information about the historical Anacharsis difficult to assess. He is mentioned in Tertullian's 'The Apology' and 'On the Pallium' and in Plato's 'Republic' as an inventor.