Somehow or other, in my study of history, I never thought of the Persian empire as barbarian...I don't know why one should have that impression.
The Scythians, on the other hand...
The Scythians had an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art(Met) when I needed to satisfy some core requirements for Art at the City College of New York. Almost needless to say, trips to the Met were required. Walking across Central Park on the Met's adjacent transverse road, I found functional art, a 10 inch, double end(headed), adjustable wrench.
I still got it, but it needs WD-40 after being waylaid.