Skunkha (Old Persian: 𐎿𐎤𐎢𐎧 Skuⁿxa),[1] was king of the Sakā tigraxaudā ("Saka who wear pointed caps"), a group of the Saka, in the 6th century BC.
Skuⁿxa | |
---|---|
King of the Sakā tigraxaudā | |
Reign | mid 6th century BCE–518 BCE |
Predecessor | Tomyris (?) |
Successor | unknown |
Saka | Skuⁿxa |
Religion | Scythian religion |
The name Skuⁿxa might be related to the Ossetian term meaning "distinguishing oneself," and attested as skₒyxyn (скойхйн) in the Digor dialect, and as æsk’wænxun (ӕскъуӕнхун) in the Iron dialect.[2][3]
In 519 BC, Darius I of Achaemenids attacked the Saka tribe and captured their king. His capture is depicted in the relief sculpture of Behistun Inscription, last in a row of defeated "lying kings".[4] After his defeat, Darius replaced him with the chief of another tribe.[5]
OPers. Skunxa- (the leader of the Sakas, who rebelled against Darius I), perhaps related to Oss. skₒyxyn/æsk'wænxun "to distinguish oneself".
3. altpers. Skunxa- (der Anführer der Saken, die sich gegen Dareios I. erhoben), vielleicht zu verbinden mit osset. digoron skₒyxyn, iron æsk'wænxun „sich auszeichnen usw.".[3. OPers. Skunxa- (the leader of the Sakas, who rebelled against Darius I), perhaps related to Osset. Digor skₒyxyn, Iron æsk’wænxun "to distinguish oneself, etc.".]