Saraparae

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography

SARAPARAE(Σαραπάραι, Strab. 11. p. 531; Plin. Nat. 6.16. s. 18), a Thracian people, dwelling beyond Armenia near the Guranii and Medi, according to Strabo, who describes them as a savage, lawless, and mountainous people, who scalped and cut off heads (περισκυθιστὰς καὶ ἀποκεφαλιστάς). The latter is said by Strabo to be the meaning of their name, which is confirmed by the fact that in the Persian sarmeans headand para division.(Anquetil, Sur les anc. Langues de la Perse, in Mém. de l'Acad. &c. vol. 31. p. 419, quoted in Kramer's Strab. vol. 2. p. 500; comp. Groskurd's Strab. vol. 2. p. 439.)