446 



EUSSIA IN EUROPE. 



Inhabitants. 



Little is known of the Cimmerian Thracians wlio occupied the psninsuhx at 

 the dawn of authentic history, and who were driven thence to Asia Minor by the 

 Tauri Scythians. To them should possibly be referred the subterranean cities 

 here and there hollowed out of the limestone sides of the hills, and often containing 

 thousands of chambers, at one time inhabited by generations of fugitives and 

 anchorites. The few menhirs and the numerous dolmens also met with on the 

 heights, e.qDecially in the south-west, and resembling those of Gaul, may perhaps 



Fis:. 236. — ToMH of the Scythian Kings near Kertch. 



be the work of the same race, whom many have regarded as Celts, kinsmen of 

 those who invaded "West Europe. 



In the Hellenic period the dominant race, in common with all the peoples of 

 the northern plains collectively known as Scythians, were certainly of Aryan stock, 

 as is placed beyond doubt by the skeletons found in the tombs. Under Hellenic 

 influences these Scythians had made remarkable progress in art, and some of their 

 works are not greatly inferior to the exquisite Greek objects found in the same 

 tombs. The graves and catacombs of the Kertch hills contained vast treasures, 

 most of which have been removed to the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. 

 The frescoes discovered in 1871 by Stasov in a catacomb at Kertch show that 

 during the time of Mithridates there was a reaction in favour of Eastern art, 



