# Darius invades Scythia (-513)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/-513-darius-invades-scythia
Categories: battle

The Persian king Darius I led a large army across the Danube against the Scythians. According to Herodotus the Scythians retreated deep into the steppe, destroying wells and pastures, and the Persians withdrew without a decisive battle. The campaign is the first large war on the steppe described by a historian. Scythian strategy of retreat and scorched earth became a recurring theme in the history of warfare on the Russian plains.

## Why it matters
Scythian strategy of retreat and scorched earth became a recurring theme in the history of warfare on the Russian plains.

Ruler at the time: [Scythians, Sarmatians and Greek Colonies](https://history-russia.com/rulers/scythians-sarmatians-and-greek-colonies)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Scythian campaign of Darius I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythian_campaign_of_Darius_I)
- [Wikipedia — Herodotus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus)
- [Wikipedia — Scythians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Darius invades Scythia](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Darius+invades+Scythia)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)