Cercetae

The Cercetae are an ancient people of Scythia mentioned by Strabo^[1] and Pliny the Elder.^[2] They are one of many ancient tribes of the Northwestern Caucasus which are the ancestors of modern Circassians.^[3] The name "Cercetae" apparently was the basis of the name of the people that arose later - the Circassians.^[3] The ethnonym itself of presumably Iranian origin^[4] or derived from the κερκέτηζ, is a kind of "stern oar”, and is the nickname given to them by the Greeks due to their skill in the sea business.^[5]

Pliny places them beyond the Amazons and the Hyperboreans, together with the Cimmerii, Cissianti, Achaei, Georgili, Moschi, Phoristae and Rimphaces.

See also

• Zygii
• Circassians
• Maeotians