Cyrtians

The Cyrtians or Kyrtians (ancient Greek (Κύρτιοι Kýrtioi, Latin Cyrtii) were an ancient tribe in historic Iran near Zagros Mountains.[1] Based on their name,[1] it has been suggested that they may be ancestors of the Kurds.[2][3]

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Ancient period BC Prehistory of Iran Ancient Times–4000 Kura–Araxes culture 3400–2000 Proto-Elamite 3200–2700 Jiroft culture c. 3100 – c. 2200 Elam 2700–539 Akkadian Empire 2400–2150 Lullubi culture c. 2300-700 Kassites c. 1500 – c. 1155 Neo-Assyrian Empire 911–609 Urartu 860–590 Mannaeans 850–616
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According to Rüdiger Schmitt,[2] they were a tribe dwelling mainly in the mountains of Atropatenian Media (Northern Zagros Mountains) together with the Cadusii, Amardi (or "Mardi"), Tapyri, and others (Strabo 11.13.3). Strabo characterized the Cyrtians living in Persia as migrants and predatory brigands.

In the Hellenistic period, they seem to have been in demand as slingers, for they fought as such for the Median satrap Molon in his revolt against King Antiochus III in 220 BC.[2]

The Cyrtians were not connected to the Carduchi (Cordyaei, Gordyaei, Karduchoi) and the like, who lived farther west.[2] According to Garnik Asatrian, Cyrtians were a collection of indigenous, non-Iranian tribes who only shared a nomadic lifestyle.[4]