The famous Sarmatians strongly influenced its allies as well as its foes. Ancient texts have testified to the warlike abilities of the sarmatians, their ancestors the Sauromatians and their heirs, the Alans. Polybe, Diodorus of Sicily, Strabon, Flavius Josephe, Tacitus, Pausanias and Dion Cassius have portrayed these Iranian-speaking tribes whose way of life seemed so "exotic" in greek or roman eyes.

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