The True Legacy of the Iranic Scythian Peoples: A Rebuttal to Pan-Turkist and Neo-Ottoman Myths

Iranic Scythians vs. Islamic Altaic Turks

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

As an Iranian-American with a deep appreciation for history, I have grown increasingly alarmed by the rise of Pan-Turkist and Neo-Ottoman ideologies, which seek to distort and rewrite the rich history of the Iranic peoples. Such revisionism is not only intellectually dishonest but also stands in stark opposition to the overwhelming consensus of historians, scientists, and archaeologists worldwide.

Before we address these myths, it’s critical to understand who the Iranic peoples truly are. Iranic (or Iranian) peoples include ancient tribes and civilizations such as the Parsi, Scythians, Medes, Roxolani, Alani, Sarmatians, Getae, and Massa-Getae. These groups, though diverse in their cultures and geographies, share a linguistic and cultural heritage rooted in the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

The Parsi tribe, from which modern Persians derive their identity, settled in the region we now call Iran, naming it after themselves. The term “Iran” comes from the word Aryānām, meaning “Land of the Aryans,” and has been used since the Achaemenid Empire to describe the territory of the Iranic peoples.

Historical Context: Names and Identity

The Greeks called this land Persis after the province of Pars (modern Fars), and the Romans followed suit, referring to the entire region as Persia. However, this designation does not diminish the fact that the true name of the region, as understood by its inhabitants, has always been Iran. The distinction is crucial: what the Greeks and Romans called the region was based on their limited understanding, not an accurate representation of its people’s self-identification.

Pan-Turkist and Neo-Ottoman Fallacies

Pan-Turkist and Neo-Ottoman ideologies often claim that many of these ancient civilizations, particularly the Scythians, Alani, and Sarmatians, were Turkic in origin. This claim is categorically false and is rejected by nearly all serious academic disciplines. These groups spoke Iranic languages, practiced Iranic customs, and left behind archaeological evidence consistent with Iranic culture.

The Alani, for example, were known as fierce warriors and were among the last Iranic groups to resist Roman and later Hunnic invasions. The Scythians, famous for their equestrian skills and mastery of mounted warfare, are well-documented in Persian and Greek sources as Iranic speakers. Genetic studies and linguistic analysis further confirm their Iranic identity, debunking Turkic claims to their heritage.

The Legacy of the Iranic Peoples

Iranic peoples were instrumental in shaping world history. The Medes formed one of the earliest organized states in the region, laying the foundation for the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenids, under Cyrus the Great, were the first to implement policies of religious and cultural tolerance, earning admiration from contemporaries like the Greeks and Hebrews.

The Sarmatians and Roxolani, meanwhile, played a crucial role in the geopolitics of the Eurasian steppes, serving as both allies and adversaries of the Roman Empire. These tribes influenced military tactics, trade routes, and cultural exchanges across continents.

Academic Consensus

Modern academia laughs at the pseudo-historical claims made by Pan-Turkists and Neo-Ottomans. Scholars like Richard Frye, W. B. Henning, and Mary Boyce have extensively documented the Iranic origins of these ancient peoples. Genetic studies also support this conclusion, showing that the Iranic peoples share closer affinities with Indo-European groups than with Turkic populations.

The attempt to co-opt the history of Iranic peoples stems from political agendas rather than genuine historical inquiry. By distorting the past, these ideologies aim to create a false narrative that serves their nationalist ambitions.

Conclusion

To those who propagate these myths, I say this: your attempts to rewrite history are futile. The legacy of the Iranic peoples stands as a testament to their contributions to civilization and their resilience in the face of adversity. From the Parsi tribe who named Iran to the Alani who resisted the onslaught of empires, their story is one of perseverance, innovation, and cultural richness.

Let history, supported by evidence and reason, be our guide—not the baseless fantasies of Pan-Turkist and Neo-Ottoman propaganda.

Citations

1. Frye, Richard N. The Heritage of Persia. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1962.
2. Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge, 2001.
3. Henning, Walter B. "The Ancient Iranian Language." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, vol. 9, no. 3, 1939, pp. 545-565.
4. Mallory, J. P., and Douglas Q. Adams. The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. Oxford University Press, 2006.
5. Harmatta, János. "Scythians." The Cambridge History of Iran: Volume 2, Cambridge University Press, 1985.
6. Diakonoff, Igor M. The Paths of History. Cambridge University Press, 1999.