King Arthur (2004) Culture (personal hc and historical information)
General indications of the people
The Sarmatians are an Iranian people and therefore, like the Scythians, are part of the Iranian linguistic family (an Indo-European linguistic family). Open to Persian culture and religion, they were probably divided into four tribes: Iazyges, Roxolani (or Rossolani), Aorsi and Alani.
Roxolani, who settled in the territories occupied by the Scythians to the north and northwest of the Black Sea (between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD) and with them, at first, established an alliance. When this relationship failed, the Sarmatians conquered the territories of the Scythians, subjecting the population to their power.
Iazyges, who settled in the territories west of the Dacians, south of the Germans and both east and north of the Danube between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD.
Aorsi, of whom little is known: it is probable that they settled near the kingdom of the Bosporus to the south-east of the Alans.
Alans, who settled east of the Black Sea to the north of the Caucasus and the Aorsi and here they are described by the Romans as horse breeders. They were the longest-lasting Sarmatian population, partly converted to Arian Christianity in the 9th century, fought against the Mongols first, and then alongside them (a series of tombs, perhaps of Christian Alani warriors was found in a Mongolian necropolis in Korea); the remaining Alans settled in the western Caucasus, where they underwent a more or less strong Turkish and Islamic influence in the 14th-17th centuries, and then a process of partial Russification between the late 18th century and the present day. They are currently known as Ossetians.
They originally inhabited the steppes along the Volga, the piedmont regions of the southern Urals and the steppe of western Kazakhstan. In their homelands they clashed with the Bactrians, the Parthians and the Sogdians. At different times and in different waves they pushed westward.
Sarmatia is the name given by the Romans to a portion of lands in Eastern Europe, present-day Ukraine and the southern federal district of Russia, and Western Asia, between the Black Sea and the Don and Volga rivers, originally inhabited by the Sarmatians.
Originating from the steppes of Central Asia, the Sarmatians began to migrate westward around the 4th-3rd century BC, pushing into the regions previously occupied by the Scythians. At the height of their expansion, around the 1st century AD, they controlled a vast territory that extended:
West: the Vistula River (in present-day Poland)
South: the northern coasts of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, up to the Caucasus
North: the forests of Eastern Europe
This territory today corresponds mainly to Ukraine and southern Russia.
The Roman Empire, in 300 AD, stretched from Arabia to Britain. But they wanted more. More land. More people loyal and subjected to Rome.
But no people were as important as the mighty Sarmatians to the east. Thousands died on that batterfield. And when the smoke cleared on the fourth day, the only Sarmatian soldiers left alive were members of the decimated but legendary cavalry. The Romans, impressed by their courage and skill on horseback, spared their lives.
In return, these warriors were conscripted into the Roman army.
The Iazyges in particular came into conflict with Rome, and during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, after the Marcomannic Wars, some 5,500 Sarmatian horsemen were recruited and sent to Britain as auxiliary troops.
In particular, their society was composed of warrior shepherds, nomads. And they were expert horsemen.
The Sarmatians were known for their skill in heavy cavalry, with armored warriors called cataphractarii. In addition to cavalry, they were skilled with the bow and long spears.
Women had an active role in society and, according to some sources, also in military activities, perhaps contributing to the myth of the Amazons.
Their language belonged to the eastern branch of the Iranian languages (bit unknown).
Religion and sacred rites
Their religion was naturalistic and animist/shamanic, with a cult of spirits and fire, sky, sun and spirits of ancestors.
Their deities were linked to the natural elements.
Their art was "animalistic of the steppes", with motifs of wolves, horses, eagles and snakes. Even the shields, saddles, buckles and weapons were richly decorated with these symbols.
The Sarmatians were pagans. They venerated forces of nature, spirits of ancestors and invisible powers that governed fate, war and life.
Their religion was deeply personal, experiential, visceral — perfect for warriors who lived in an unstable reality, and who sought in the signs of the sky and the voice of the wind a sense of their destiny.
Going into more detail, we can analyze the different aspects:
Animist → they believed that everything (trees, animals, fire, stars, wind) had a spirit or a vital force.
Shamanic → there were priests/shamans (most likely women) who acted as intermediaries between the human world and the spirit world, often through visions or trances.
Totemic → the clans probably had sacred protective animals, such as the deer, the horse, the wolf, the eagle.
Cult of the Sun and the Fire
The Sarmatians venerated the Sun and Fire as sacred and purifying forces.
The Sun represented life, guidance, justice.
Fire was seen as a means of communication with the gods, capable of purifying and carrying offerings to the sky. After the rites, the fire was never hastily extinguished and in certain places it was kept permanently lit as a sacred fire.
The Sky and the Spirits of the Ancestors
The Sky was considered a living and dominant entity, the great Father Spirit, to whom warriors especially turned. The sky represented:
Divine judgment after death
The cult of ancestors was central in their religion (and in every other aspect of their life).
The dead were buried in kurgans (burial mounds) with offerings, weapons, horses, sometimes even sacrificed servants or family members. The spirits of ancestors were believed to be able to influence the lives of their descendants, to punish them or to protect them (as when they took the form of their war horses)
The horse had an almost divine value. It was:
The warrior's companion in life and death
Guide animal in the afterlife
Symbol of the bond between heaven and earth (fast, noble, free)
Horses were often sacrificed in funerals, and buried with their owners. The harnesses were decorated with cosmic symbols.
Symbols and spirit guides
Recurring symbols in Sarmatian finds:
Snake: transformation, occult knowledge
Stag: spiritual guide and messenger of the divine world
Wolf: wild strength, clan spirit
Eagle: vision, ascension, connection with the sun
Although the term “Spirit Guide” was not used, people believed in:
Totem animals, linked to clans or families.
Animal omens, as forms of communication from gods or ancestors.
Protective souls, often with animal form in dreams or shamanic visions.
The sacred hunt or animal dance, in which warriors symbolically assumed the strength of the animal.
It is likely that animals were not just symbols, but manifestations of higher powers, nature spirits or warrior ancestors.
→ How the spirit guide is discovered
During the warrior initiation
A young man is left alone in the steppes or in the woods. He must survive, fast and dream. The animal that appears is “his spirit”
The shaman of the clan can identify the animal guide in a state of trance.
During a moment of crisis
The animal appears in reality (a wolf leading out of a blizzard, a deer watching silently before a battle).
The Legend of Targitai and the Spirits of the Hunt
“There was a time, in the endless steppes, when men did not know the way. They were strong, yes, but blind. The skies were vast, the winds harsh, and blood flowed meaninglessly.
It was then that Targitai was born, son of heaven and earth, first of warriors.
When he reached the age of steel, his father took him to the heart of the steppe and said:
“Sleep under the stars, eat only what the wind brings you. When your soul grows silent, listen.”
For seven days and seven nights, Targitai was alone. He did not speak. He did not fight. He did not cry. And at sunset on the seventh day, when the sky was red as spilled blood, three animals came to him:
The Wolf, who said: “I will teach you to hunt without being seen, to fight in a pack, and to die for those you call brother.”
The Stag, who said, “I will teach you to see far, to move like a shadow, to lead your people in the hidden paths of truth.”
The Eagle, who said, “I will teach you to watch from above, to strike with justice, and to carry your dead beyond the sky.”
Targitai did not speak, but bowed his head.
From that day, every warrior of his lineage sought the animal soul that awaited him. Not to command it, but to walk beside it. And it is said that those who betray their spirit guide, die with a broken heart, far from home.”
This legend was told around the fire, usually before the ritual to know their spirit guide. Furthermore, it is the reason behind which warriors have different gifts (wolf = loyalty and ferocity; deer = intuition and solitude, eagle = wisdom and justice).
Initiation Ceremony: The Vigil of the Spirits
"Only he who has seen the face of the night can ride toward the dawn." – Sarmatian proverb.
Every young Sarmatian, upon completion of the 14 winters (then, from the pact made with the Romans, before being sent into forced service), participates in the Vigil of the Spirits, an ancient ritual in which the warrior faces solitude and seeks his own spirit guide.
The steps are as follows:
Isolation – The young man is taken to a sacred place (a gorge, a plateau, a forest) and left alone, without food or weapons, for seven days. He carries with him only a ritual robe and a bone dagger.
Vigil – During the night, he burns sacred herbs and sings (or whispers) the names of his ancestors. It is said that the spirit guide will come in a dream or manifest in physical form, if the young man is ready.
Test of the Soul – If the spirit appears, the young man must accept its nature: a wolf, a deer, an eagle, or another animal. Accepting a soul too similar to one's own can lead to imbalance. Some receive no spirit at all and are considered "orphans of the gods."
Return and March of Silence – The young man returns to the camp and remains silent for three days, to meditate and understand the bond that has just begun. At the end, he receives the symbol of his spirit engraved on a brooch, a tattoo, or a hilt.
Sarmatian Prayer to the Guiding Spirit
(in a ritual tone, to be whispered in the wind or around a fire)
"O Soul who walks with me,
who finds me worthy in the night,
open my eyes to the signs,
open my heart to the way.
May I not dominate, but follow.
May I not conquer, but remain whole.
May my blood be your song,
and my death your return."
Knights of the Round Table
From the images of the Round Table shown in the film, we can see that there are 23 chairs.
One of these belonged to Arthur Cassius, otherwise known as the king who united Albion in some interpretations of his life.
For the others, we can list the seven knights present in the events shown in the film:
The other sixteen, based on the stories of the Knights, are:
The Round Table represents the symbol of equality among the knights, indicating that no member is more important than the others.
This directly represents the method with which Arthur led his knights. In addition to sitting on the same level as them, he never tried to force his religion on theirs, respecting them enough to allow them to choose what they believe in.
Further to see in detail the 7 knights.
Seven sarmatian knights and their leader
The Sarmatian knights were taken when they were children, approximately between the ages of 12 and 15.
Personality: idealistic, young and passionate. Believes in the ideals of justice and freedom.
Characteristics: he is one of the closest to Arthur in terms of moral vision and often acts as the conscience of the group.
Fighting style: fast and elegant, uses a long sword and occasionally a bow.
Appearance: curly brown hair, young and clean face; he is the "purest" knight in appearance and temperament.
Age: enlisted at 11 years old, after fifteen years he is 26 years old. He is the youngest knight of the group.
Nickname: "The Pure". Galahad is the perfect knight, pure of heart, destined for the Grail. Young, idealistic, brave, often thoughtful and respects a very strict code of honor.
Spirit Guide - The Wolf: The wolf is a symbol of loyalty, purity of the pack and moral guidance. Wolves are protectors of their community, but also capable of great solitude and reflection. The wolf as a spiritual guardian indicates that Galahad is the last to retain an ancient innocence or hope for good.
Personality: silent, enigmatic, solitary. He is the observer and scout of the group.
Characteristics: the most "wild", almost shamanic; he has a very strong bond with his falcon, which he uses to monitor the territory.
Fighting style: he is a master in the use of the curved sword and the cavalry bow. He is a deadly archer, but also excellent in close combat.
Appearance: long black hair, short beard, olive skin; always accompanied by the falcon. He has a melancholic and ferocious air.
Age: Enlisted at 15, after 15 years he is 30
Nickname - "The Guardian": Lonely warrior, falcon (Isolde) as his companion, Hero with great observation skills
Spirit guide - The Stag: the stag is a symbol of intuition, grace, independence and sacrifice. The stag represents the connection with nature. In many traditions, the stag is a sacred sign, a guide between the worlds, often linked to hunting and spiritual rebirth.
Personality: thoughtful, loyal and kind-hearted. He is among the most moral of the group.
Characteristics: he has a strong bond with Galahad and Dagonet; he often shows empathy towards the weakest and most civilized.
Fighting style: agile and precise, he mainly uses a short sword and a bow.
Appearance: he has long brown hair, short beard. He is also recognizable for his attentive and thoughtful look.
Age: Enlisted at 13, after 15 years he is 28
Nickname - "The Tenacious": represents courage and honor, protective and practical.
Guiding Spirit - The Eagle: the eagle symbolizes clear vision, nobility and protection. The eagle is a predator, but also a guardian who watches from above, clearly seeing what others do not see. It is a symbol of great mental and physical strength, but also of a balance between justice and compassion. The eagle does not dive easily, but when it does, it does so with determination and grace.
Personality: Rough, blunt, comical but incredibly loyal.
Traits: Father of numerous children (often mentioned, with only one with a name, Gyllis, made with a Sarmatian woman named Vanora); embodies the rough but golden-hearted warrior.
Fighting Style: Brutal and powerful, fights with two battle axes.
Appearance: Burly, bushy beard, often dirty and unkempt. His speech is colorful.
Age: Enlisted at 15, after 15 years he is 30
Nickname - “The Savage”: Rough, golden-hearted, loud, vulgar, full of love for his family
Spirit Guide - Rhinoceros: The Rhinoceros represents endurance, protection and unwavering determination. The Rhinoceros is a solitary animal, but knows when to band together to fight. This guiding spirit is reflected in Bors's strong sense of loyalty and his ability to face any battle with tenacity and strength. The rhino may seem clumsy, but he is agile when necessary, and his inner strength is his gift.
Personality: Silent, protective, almost paternal towards the younger ones.
Characteristics: Extremely brave, he is willing to sacrifice himself for his companions.
Fighting style: He wields a huge double-headed axe and a shield; he prefers close combat.
Appearance: Massive, with a dark beard and a serious look. He has a solemn and calm aura.
Age: Enlisted at 15, after 15 years he is 30
Nickname - "The Shield": Silent, protective, he sacrifices himself for others.
Spirit Guide - The Snake: The snake is a symbol of transformation, intuition and resilience. An animal that may seem dangerous and mysterious, but which also brings knowledge and healing. The snake is a symbol of continuous renewal, as it sheds its skin to grow, representing the ability to adapt to changes without fear.
Personality: Sarcastic, romantic and philosophical. He is Arthur's main sidekick.
Characteristics: He has a very close relationship with Arthur; he is one of the most skilled and respected knights.
Fighting style: He uses two curved swords (similar to scimitars), which he wields with incredible skill and speed.
Appearance: Elegant, with dark hair, often with a light beard; he has the air of an ironic thinker.
Age: Enlisted at 13, after 15 years he is 28
Nickname - "The Lion": famous for his strength and courage.
Spirit Guide - The Lion: The Lion is the symbol of strength, courage and natural authority. Lancelot, like the lion, is a leader, capable of performing heroic acts, but also deeply solitary. The lion is the king of the savannah, but brings with him a great loneliness. Lancelot’s ability to fight and lead is tied to this powerful spirit, but his vulnerability to loneliness and the burden of duty is also a key part of this connection.
Personality: noble, tormented, idealistic. He has a strong sense of honor, justice and responsibility towards his role and his men.
Origins: he is a Romano-British officer, son of a British mother and a Roman father. He is the leader of the Sarmatian knights, which he leads with respect and brotherhood.
Motivations: initially tied to duty towards Rome, but as time passes he clashes with the corruption of the Empire and embraces the defense of Britannia and its people. His faith falls into the words of Pelagius, that is, the incarnation of ideals of freedom, moral responsibility and hope.
Fighting style: expert with the long sword, gifted with great technique, charisma and military strategy. He is a true commander in the field.
Appearance: dark hair, short beard, marked but determined face. He wears a distinct armor, halfway between the Roman and Celtic styles.
Age: Enlisted at 15, after 15 years he is 30
Nickname - “The Dreamer”/”The Roman King”: Leader, half Roman, half British, embodiment of duty and doubt. The only Roman considered worthy by the pagans.
Relationship between the knights
Even if every knights would have their life for the others, there are some relationships that stand out.
They respect each other, even if they are often tense. Arthur is an idealistic dreamer, while Lancelot is a devoted skeptic: he follows him, questioning everything.
Given Galahad's young age, it is possible that the knights have developed an instinct to protect him, especially Gawain. The two are seen to have a close brotherly relationship.
Gawain is more practical and protective, while Galahad is more idealistic.
They support each other in battle and seek each other out in difficult times. Gawain can speak for Galahad (as seen when Galahad is worried about the delay in the delivery of freedom from the bishop and Gawain comforts him or when Arthur requests their help for a last mission and Gawain promises Galahad's support.)
Intimate and silent bond. Bors talks too much, and Dagonet almost never, but you can feel the family affection between them. Bors trusts Dagonet with his vulnerability: he values him as the noblest among them, despite his simplicity. Also, they could come from the same nomadic Sarmatian camp.
Tristan is Arthur's silent guardian, shadow and protector. Arthur trusts him blindly. Tristan is the observer of the group.
Around 415 AD - Birth of the Knights
The knights were born between 410 and 420 AD, in the Sarmatian steppes. They were the sons of warriors and knights, in a context of war and tensions with Rome.
Their services were promised to the Romans because of the strength of their ancestors, forced to fight for 15 years in the service of the capital of the Empire, before they could receive a pass that would allow them to return to their homes.
Around 427 AD - Forced enlistment
At around 12-15 years old, they were taken from their homes to respect the treaty between the Roman Empire and the Sarmatians. They were trained in Vindolanda or along Hadrian's Wall.
We can say that Roman commanders could choose their warriors, among all those who were present.
Arthur Cassus, one of the best Roman warriors, had the right to choose his warriors at the age of 15.
We can say that he chooses Tristan, Bors, Dagonet, Lancelot, Gawain and Galahad from the training camp, along with the knights who do not survive the battles they fight. We can also assume that Galahad is the youngest of all.
Between 428 and 443 AD - Training and Battles
In addition to the training they endured on Hadrian's Wall, they trained together, forging a deep brotherhood, based mostly on survival, war and loss.
Although they fight for Rome, they develop disillusionment and resentment towards the Empire, while remaining loyal to Arthur.
They reach the end of their service, awaiting the promised release.
