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Document Details : Title: Lycanthropy in Sarmatian Warrior Societies Subtitle: The Kobyakovo Torque Author(s): USTINOVA, Yulia Journal: Ancient West & East Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Date: 2002 Pages: 102-123 DOI: 10.2143/AWE.1.1.3292045 Abstract : A recently published torque from a Sarmatian tumulus features a battle between a dragon and three monstrous canine-headed and canine-legged armed creatures, which probably symbolise a group of werewolves or warriors wearing wolf masks. In the mythology and poetry of several Indo-European peoples, warriors and especially members of male pre-adult groups were described as packs of furious wolves or dogs. Warriors wearing wolf skins are portrayed on artefacts of various cultural provenance, representing scenes from myths about young warriors' exploits. These scenes seem to be connected with initiation ceremonies undergone by youths on the verge of manhood. Written sources attest the existence of Männerbünde in several Iranian-speaking cultures, among them the Scythians and other semi-nomads of the South Russian steppes. Several texts refer to the self-identification of these bands of young warriors as packs of dogs. Thus, the torque appears to depict a scene from the mythology of Sarmatian warrior societies. |
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