We can well imagine that the bulk of the invaders would prefer the warmer and richer lands of Assyria, Mesopotamia, and Syria; and that, pouring into them, they would leave the colder and less wealthy Media comparatively free from ravage.
The condition of Media and the adjacent countries under the Scythians must have nearly resembled that of almost the same regions under the Seljukian Turks during the early times of their domination.

The conquerors made no fixed settlements, but pitched their tents in any portion of the territory that they chose.

Their horses and cattle were free to pasture on all lands equally.

They were recognized as the dominant race, were feared and shunned, but did not greatly interfere with the bulk of their subjects.

It was impossible that they should occupy at any given time more than a comparatively few spots in the wide tract which they had overrun and subjugated; and, consequently, there was not much contact between them and the peoples whom they had conquered.