people
Sarmatians
A nomadic people of the lower Danube and steppe against whom Marcus campaigned; named to deflate the conqueror who prides himself on capturing them, as a bandit prides himself on prey.
Reading notes
- Meditations §10.10.1 Sarmatians
A nomadic people of the Danube frontier whom Marcus fought; here the conqueror who "takes" them is likened to a bandit.