......I feel like she is too white in appearance......
so basically::: Scythian ethnicity is complicated. Mostly because what the Greeks called Scythians (or, you know, something close, I can't remember the exact term) were actually a bunch of various peoples spread out all through Central Asia. The ones to the far west mostly became Slavic peoples later on, but the ones to the east were pretty heavily influenced (ethnically and otherwise, at least probably) by SE Asian peoples, as well as other peoples of central Asia. Their ~ancestral home was sort of in Pakistan, I believe.
Tomyris was from a group that was from the east and probably had slightly darker skin than she's shown as having here, unfortunately. However, most ancient descriptions give Scythians fair hair and lighter skin. If you look it up, they'll probably be described as "Caucasoid," which is an utterly BS distinction with a not so nice history obvs (plus, has nothing to do with the skin color) but you can see why they made the choice they did. Was it a great one? no, it's not great at all, but they're clearly not going for ten thousand percent accuracy here (the person in me who delights in semantics cackles at the fact that they cite a story described by Herodotus in Tomyris' story- the Cyrus' death one- but according to Herodotus the people Tomyris led were separate from the Scythians entirely. It's not a clear cut thing, LOL.) it's probably more "conflicting and confusing historical sources because ancient history's kind of a mess" than outright whitewashing in the case of Monty.
Kind of a bummer, still. I'm with you there. Moreover, it does feel like there's always an "excuse" to lighten a leader, but rarely is the opposite road ever taken when there's ambiguity.
On the other hand I am delighted with her agenda. I'm not one for warring myself, but I am very much pleased at the idea of my typical pacifist civving being backed up by Tomyris should I get attacked. And despite the historical complexities, she looks kickass.
I love that story. Unfortunately at least according to Wikipedia there are competing accounts as to how Cyrus died and historians aren't sure which are true.
one word: Herodotus
there's a lot of incredible things and information that can be gleaned therefrom, and it's a monument of literature in and of itself. However, the Histories aren't known for their.... accuracy? in anecdotes. Herodotus was ballsy, which I respect, and basically was the father of subjective history. He was writing a STORY. Selecting sources, unifying interpretations- they're all part of the study of history which of course makes any account inherently inaccurate. Herodotus was a bit more egregious about it, from a modern perspective, than most. But that's what makes him such a delightful- and difficult- read.
basically: I very much doubt that story is true, but it's amazing, so who cares?
It looks like a sideways seahorse!
Specially if she's a good and honorable ally!
