Sarakolés. See [MANDINGAN].
Sards, or Sardinians. The aboriginal inhabitants of Sardinia, probably of the Western Hamitic family, akin to the [Iberians] or [Ligurians] (q.v.). The modern Sardinians are descended from this race, with considerable admixtures of alien blood from the Carthaginian, Roman, Saracen, Spanish and Italian owners of the island in successive periods.
Sarmatians. An ancient nomadic and warlike people, probably akin to the [Scythians] (q.v.), who roamed over the wide plains of Eastern Europe. Fine horsemen. They were destroyed by the Goths in the fourth century, and disappeared from history.
Sassaks. Natives of Lombok in the Sunda Islands, of Malayan race.
Savoyards. Natives of Savoy, originally a short, round-skulled, dark race, akin to the [Auvergnats] (q.v.), now largely mingled with Teutonic blood.
Saxons. (1) The Old Saxons originally inhabited the estuary of the Elbe and the neighbouring islands. They were a warlike race, of Low German stock, whose name is said to be derived from the “Saxes,” or heavy knives which they used in war. They were one of the most adventurous of Teutonic races, and made many piratical and colonising excursions, of which the most important was their settlement in Britain in the fifth century, where they united with the [Angles] (q.v.) to lay the foundation of the modern English people. (2) The Saxons who remained on the Continent gradually extended their dominion till it reached modern Saxony. Under Charlemagne the Saxon power was subordinated to that of the Franks. Saxony later became an independent duchy, which is still one of the chief States of the German Empire. The modern Saxons are less adventurous than their ancestors, very industrious, and successful in agriculture and industry, and make excellent soldiers.
Scandinavians. A main stock of the Aryan family, sometimes classed as a branch of the Teutonic stock, including the Icelanders, Norwegians, Danes and Swedes, as well as the old [Norsemen] and [Normans] (q.v.). Some ethnologists regard them as the original stock of the Aryan family. They are tall, blue-eyed, fair-haired, warlike, and good sailors and colonists.
Scots or Scotch. (1) The ancient Scots were a Celtic race, belonging to the Goidelic or [Q Celts] (q.v.), originally settled in Ireland—the ancient Scotia—whence they made settlements in the fifth century in modern Scotland, to which they gave their name. They were gradually driven back into the Highlands by Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Danish invaders, and are now represented by the [Highlanders] (q.v.) or Gaels. (2) The modern Scots, or Lowland Scots, are mainly of Anglo-Saxon race, modified by Norman, Danish, and Flemish elements. They are one of the finest and most hardy and industrious races in the world, equally successful in the arts of war and peace.
Scythians. An ancient nomadic and warlike race, found in the seventh century B.C. on the vast plains of South-eastern Europe, where they lived by cattle-breeding and raiding. They dwelt in tent-covered waggons, fought on horseback with bows and arrows, and made drinking-cups of their enemies’ skulls. Their origin is in dispute. Some regard them as a Mongolic race, which was modified by association with Aryan races, and others as an Aryan stock; their kinsmen, the [Sarmatians] (q.v.), were almost certainly Aryans. They made several incursions into Asia, where they conquered a large tract of Northern India and established a kingdom which lasted till about the fourth century A.D. The [Rajputs] and [Jats] (q.v.) are sometimes held to be their descendants.
Selengese. See [BURIATS].