Gold has a magic all of its own: it is heavy and obviously valuable; has a beautiful colour unmatched by anything else in nature; and is apparently immortal, for it will never tarnish or rust. Scythian nobles prized gold decorations, jewellery and ornamentation above all other forms of ostentatious display. To own and wear gold was a sign not only of wealth, but of majesty, might and personal greatness. Grave goods found in former Scythian territory show how rich and sophisticated Scythian goldworking could be. It was therefore even more impressive to not only have gold items, but to have a personal goldsmith to create new and unique items just for your pleasure.
