Retaining his royal name, and the actual government of his country, he admitted the suzerainty of the Scyths, and agreed to pay them an annual tribute.

Whether Media suffered very seriously from their ravages, we cannot say.

Neither its wealth nor its fertility was such as to tempt marauders to remain in it very long.

The main complaint made against the Scythian conquerors is that, not content with the fixed tribute which they had agreed to receive, and which was paid them regularly, they levied contributions at their pleasure on the various states under their sway, which were oppressed by repeated exactions.

The injuries suffered from their marauding habits form only a subordinate charge against them, as though it had not been practically felt to be so great a grievance.