Another brilliant and captivating essay. It makes sense to me that they would use the right hand for several reasons, including many you already laid out. I’m reminded that, when the Romans said goodbye to one another, they’d often say, “Eo dextro pede,” which means “go forth on your right foot [first].” And when Roman soldiers took their first step when marching in formation, it was always on their right foot for good luck. A person’s power (virtue) was also believed to be contained in the right hand. So I wonder if they were thinking that in using the skin from the right hand they were sort of giving their quivers a “kevlar” sort of coating.
Great article. Herodotus' description of the quiver being decorated with a right hand is very interesting. Just a thought: What if it may have served a practical purpose? Perhaps what Herodotus saw was an archer's glove or tab, constructed partially from human skin, to give it a little extra mojo.
I believe that examples of both gloves and tabs have been found in some digs in central Asia, though I'm not sure any were found among the Royal Scythians the Greek historian would have encountered.
Such an interesting read! I love the depth to which you explore the meaning behind it all, including the excerpts that back up these theories. I'm so glad your wrote about this! I'll have to share this with some work buddies who were talking about the human skin aspect.
Another brilliant and captivating essay. It makes sense to me that they would use the right hand for several reasons, including many you already laid out. I’m reminded that, when the Romans said goodbye to one another, they’d often say, “Eo dextro pede,” which means “go forth on your right foot [first].” And when Roman soldiers took their first step when marching in formation, it was always on their right foot for good luck. A person’s power (virtue) was also believed to be contained in the right hand. So I wonder if they were thinking that in using the skin from the right hand they were sort of giving their quivers a “kevlar” sort of coating.
Great writeup! Thanks for the mention. 😀
A fascinating, chilling and frighteningly compelling read! *shivers*
Bravo!
Great article. Herodotus' description of the quiver being decorated with a right hand is very interesting. Just a thought: What if it may have served a practical purpose? Perhaps what Herodotus saw was an archer's glove or tab, constructed partially from human skin, to give it a little extra mojo.
I believe that examples of both gloves and tabs have been found in some digs in central Asia, though I'm not sure any were found among the Royal Scythians the Greek historian would have encountered.
Such an interesting read! I love the depth to which you explore the meaning behind it all, including the excerpts that back up these theories. I'm so glad your wrote about this! I'll have to share this with some work buddies who were talking about the human skin aspect.
Makes me glad to be sinestra, Jacquie! And love it when kernels of truth emerge from ancient storytelling often caricatured as simply fantastical. 💪🏻
Very interesting - and yes, a bit horrible too! Modern archaeology and forensics are shedding so much light on what we know, or thought we knew.
Excellent post! Insight I have not read before.
Fascinating! And creepy, of course, to our sanitized sensibilities.