Product Description

Since Dark Age Britain was divided between the twin legacies of Celtic culture and the departed Romans, one might logically expect to find the trappings of King Arthur's story - swords in stones, round tables, chivalrous knights - in their myths and legends. They are conspicuously absent. The origins of these essentially Arthurian traditions lie much further afield, with the nomadic tribes of central Asia, like the Sarmatians and Alans. Ironically, we must trace this legend, so central to western civilisation, to the heart of the people whom we have historically despised as barbarians...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1061788 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Howard Reid is a film maker and anthropologist. He has a PhD from Cambridge University and has made many award-winning films about ancient cultures around the world.

Customer Reviews

too remote from the point
This book displays a considerable amount of research on early European tribes, but tells us very little indeed about who the real Arthur truly was. The areas scrutinised may be relevant to an extent, but they are here so much analysed, that one loses the point. All it tells us is that Arthur is the result of a cultural mixture, stretching from the Atlantic to China! Really disappointing.

Well-researched account of an interesting new theory
I have been fascinated by the Arthurian legends since childhood and, as such, have always taken a close interest in attempts to place them in a historical perspective or to address their spiritual significance.This new book explores the idea that much of the cultural heritage present in the myths may have come from the traditions of Sarmatian cavalry warriors, introduced into Britain in the latter days of the Roman Empire. The archaeological & written evidence for this is thoroughly set out & discussed & is ultimately very convincing. The work makes a refreshing change from the Celtic warlord image popularised in recent fictional forays into this area.Indeed, Howard Reid makes only the smallest of attempts to link the Arthur of legend with a real historical figure, honestly indicating that there is no definite proof & making his ideas all the more commanding in the process.For me, this is just as well, because the evidence presented ( supported by excellent & relevant photos ) points very clearly to a composite legendary figure. Romantic though the notion of a real Arthur is, I doubt he was ever a single individual.The parallels between sword worship by the Sarmatians & the sword in the stone story was the most convincing aspect for me &, as the Afterword suggests a further book, examining connections with the Far East, I will be eagerly looking forward to an opportunity to add to the new knowledge I gained from this one.So often, volumes of this kind are over-long & redolent of intellectual snobbery. This is neither, weighing in at 226 pages plus bibliography & maps, and written in a clear, informative, easily- accessible style.I finished it in a weekend & thoroughly enjoyed it.

Whose Arthur?
I found this very readable. However, I feel it should be pointed out that this theory is the result of much painstaking work by researchers over many years (not me....) - in particular Scott Littleton and Malcor in From Scythia to Camelot.

Reid pays very brief lipservice to their work, claiming he reaches a different conclusion, but they deserve much more credit.