Secrets of the Scythians

This book by Barry Cunliffe provides a masterful reconstruction of the Scythians, a nomadic people who roamed the Eurasian steppe from the 9th to the 2nd centuries BC. Cunliffe marshals a vast array of evidence, including rich material culture from Scythian burials and textual accounts from Greek historians like Herodotus. The book illuminates the Scythians' culture, their nomadic life, their elaborate gold work, vividly colored fabrics, and their significant interactions with the Greek world around the Black Sea. It also highlights their broad cultural similarities across the steppe from the Altai Mountains to the Lower Danube valley.

The Histories by Herodotus is a foundational work in Western historical literature. It chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE) and provides a comprehensive background on the rise and organization of the Persian Empire. The work is divided into nine books, each named after one of the Muses. Herodotus describes the conflicts between the Greeks and Persians, including key battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale. He also delves into the cultural, ethnographical, geographical, and historiographical aspects of the civilizations involved, offering a rich tapestry of historical and mythological narratives. Despite some criticisms for including legendary accounts, much of Herodotus's work has been validated by modern historians and archaeologists.

The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature.

The Avesta is a collection of ancient Zoroastrian religious texts, containing hymns, prayers, and liturgical materials.

The book, also known as *Il Milione* or *Book of the Marvels of the World*, describes Marco Polo's travels from Venice to China and his time serving Kublai Khan. It provides a comprehensive look into the culture, politics, and geography of the Eastern world during the 13th century. The narrative includes descriptions of various regions such as China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and offers insights into the Mongol Empire and its operations. The book was written by Rustichello da Pisa based on Marco Polo's accounts while they were imprisoned together in Genoa.