rials were imitated as well. These burial sites extend as far as Parutino, well into the native agricultural settlements. (Minns 455)Art forms are another way which we see the two cultures emerging. Greek artisans specifically adapted Scythian styles and subjects into their art for sale to the tribal people. And while Scythic art has it’s own definite and identifiable style, many Greek influences were adopted and can be easily traced such as the Seven Brothers and mirror mounts and designs excavated at Olbia. (Minns 266) Greeks artisans were also present in the hinterlands producing art and wares for the native populations as can be seen at the Oguz excavations. (Minns 284)Coinage was also a strong indicator of the symbiotic relationships between the peoples. By the fourth century Olbia had it own coinage, the dolphin. There are two main series of Olbian coins known, those featuring Greek subjects and those featuring the native kings. Although some specimen of both groups carry names or characteristics of both Greek and Scythian origins. (Minns 482-7) It is also important to note that outside the Greek world, Olbian coins have been found as far inland on the Russian steppes as the lower Volga and as east as the Astrakhan. (Sulimirski 2, 18)Clearly these cultures were not only working together but inhabiting common space and adapting culturally to the needs of the development of their respective societies.Combined FateIndeed the growth and development of Olbia can be matched with the growth and development of the Scythian people as well. The history of Olbia and it’s periphery settlements is not a structure of center and periphery. Not only were the peripheral people settled but they also controlled the fate of the center. The Greek colony never tried to conquer or subjugate the interior as was the case in other colonies, such as Bosphorus area settlements, and instead worked in a type of partnership. Olbia ...
