A New Numismatic Source for Herodotus’ “Scythian Logos”. A Preliminary Study

Cercetări Arheologice 33.1, 2026, 11-18
https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.33.1.01



A New Numismatic Source for Herodotus’ “Scythian Logos”. A Preliminary Study

Authors: Mykola Nikolaev

Keywords:

Olbia, coins, Herodotus, Skyles, Orikos, Tymnes, Oktamasades, Scythians, Thrace

Abstract:

Starting from the principle that a very cautious interpretation is the most appropriate approach to unique coin legends, this paper examines the newly recorded legend ΘΡΗΧΟ on an Olbian “dolphin”. The legend is not a technological casting defect. A preliminary interpretation is “(coin) of a/the Thracian”. The legend ΘΡΗΧΟ corresponds to the “Scythian logos” of Herodotus, particularly with regard to the Thracian origin of the member of the Scythian royal dynasty Oktamasades or other unknown Thracian. This provides a new argument for reading the traditional legend ΑΡΙΧΟ as “(coin) of Orikos” that is, the half-brother of Skyles (mentioned through the legends ΣΚ, ΣΚΥΛΕ). Tymnes, another half-brother of Skyles, may be mentioned in the legend ΘΥ on such “dolphins”. The argument for the Thracian origin of the name in the legend ΕΜΙΝΑΚΟ on several silver coins is also strengthened. Accordingly, a group of alternative hypotheses is overcome in favor of the existence of a Scythian protectorate over Olbia Pontica around the middle of the 5th century BC.

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How to cite: Mykola Nikolaev, A New Numismatic Source for Herodotus’ “Scythian Logos”. A Preliminary Study, Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 33.1, pag. 11-18, 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.33.1.01

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