Scythes (Ancient Greek: Σκύθης, romanized: Skúthēs) was tyrant or ruler of Zancle, Magna Graecia, in Sicily.
[2] The Zanclaeans had contacted Ionian leaders to invite colonists to join them in founding a new city on the Kale Acte (Καλὴ Ἀκτή), or north shore of Sicily.
Meanwhile, the Samians were persuaded by Anaxilas of Rhegium to take advantage of Scythes' absence, and occupy the city of Zancle itself.
Some time afterwards, Scythes was able to visit his native city, but again had to return to the Persian court, where he died at an advanced age, and in the possession of great wealth, while he enjoyed general esteem for the probity of his character.
[3][4] Herodotus designates Anaxilas and Hippocrates as tyrants (τύραννοι) of their respective cities, but he styles Scythes as king (βασιλεύς) or monarch (μούναρχος) of the Zanclaeans.