GETAE

getae, an ancient people of thracian origin, closely akin to the daci (see dacia). their original home seems to have been the district on the right bank of the danube between the rivers oescus (iskr) and iatrus (yantra). the view that the getae were identical with the goths has found distinguished supporters, but it is not generally accepted. their name first occurs in connexion with the expedition of darius hystaspis (515 b.c.) against the scythians, in the course of which they were brought under his sway, but they regained their freedom on his return to the east. during the 5th century, they appear as furnishing a contingent of cavalry to sitalces, king of the odrysae, in his attack on perdiccas