While the ancient Romans and Greeks were making a name for themselves in western Europe, the Ukraine steppes attracted folk like the Scythians, the Sarmatians, the Huns of Attila, the Avars and the Goths.
These nomadic tribes did not leave behind much trace of themselves in terms of cities, beautiful monuments and documents.
And they were not the sort of people to back down from a fight either.
As a result, they have generally been described in history as being 'barbarians'.
An exhibition which opened this week in Trento, however, aims to show that the ancient inhabitants of present-day Ukraine were not as uncivilized as their reputations suggests.
The show, entitled Gli ori dei cavalieri delle Steppe (The Gold of the Knights of the Steppes), is being held at the northern city's Castello del Buonconsiglio.
It features over 350 priceless treasures loaned from Ukraine's top museums, including the Historical Treasures Museum and National Historical Museum of Kiev and the Odessa Archaeological Museum.
The stunning array of ancient weaponry, jewellery and religious objects proves that these 'barbaric' cultures appreciated beautiful art and produced outstanding craftsmen.
"These peoples put their history into the precious golden objects they left in the tombs of their princes, not into cities or written works," said curator Gianluca Bonora.
"These were the symbols of power and prestige of the nomadic aristocracy".
An extraordinary 4th-century BC golden sword with lions and dragons engraved on the sheath is among the works on display.
There is an ornamental sphinx and a magnificent arrow case with scenes of the gods at play from the same century.
Other highlights include an elegant 2nd-century BC spiral crown.
Visitors can also admire gorgeous gold and silver bracelets, earrings and necklaces, as well as ornamental armour, helmets and horse decorations.
What's more, the show features finds left behind later by the Slavic peoples of the Kievan Rus medieval state, which flourished from the ninth to the 12th century, and by the Mongols, who invaded in the 13th century.
Gli ori dei cavalieri delle Steppe runs at Trento's Castello del Buonconsiglio until November 4.
