was a polis, an autonomous state with its own constitution, coinage, courts and officials. It was also a slave-holding republic. Part of common illusion that the Greek colony was the center of activity comes from the idea that the Scythians were purely nomadic. But as recent archaeology is showing it is not necessarily the case. Of course it is undisputed that the monumental scale of the colonial cities on the Black Sea are far greater and more concrete than anything produced by the Scyths with the exception of perhaps the Royal burial mounds. But it must also be remembered that this lifestyle of mobility, partial or complete served purposes in Greek favor as well. The Greek Black Sea colonies, Olbia in specific, had no substantial military of their own. They relied on the native populations for protection. While this may seem at odds, because of the nature of the identity f the enemy, it also clearly shows that the mobile nature of the Royal Scythians and warriors provided a service the Greeks could not survive without. The military strategy of the Scythians relied n this mobility as shown by the defeat of Darius in his campaigns against the Scythians. The ability to quickly retreat and scattered was effective strategy in this region. So in fact the absence of city settlements on level with the Greeks, only adds to the continuing superiority of the status quo organization of the Scyths.During the third century the Scythians people were put under pressure by migrations of Samaritans tribes westward from the Don and Volga River areas. This served to disturb the supply and production of wheat for export. As these phenomenon occurred we see the immediate effects on the city of Olbia.As the territories of the Scythians were encroached upon by eastern tribes migrating west we begin to see real conflict between Olbia and her neighbors. Because the traditional power source of the Scythians was failing they starting taxing tribute...
