Getae was the name by which pre-Roman ancient writers referred to the tribes later known as the Dacians. The Romans used predominantly the name Dacus (plural Daci) to refer to the Getae, but the name Getae was also employed. The Getae were a Thracian people who lived in what are today Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria. The Tyragetae are believed to have been the Getae living near the river Tyras (Dniester).

According to Herodotus, the Getae were "the noblest as well as the most just of all the Thracian tribes."

When the Persians, led by Darius, campaigned against the Scythians, the Thracian tribes in the Balkans surrendered to Darius on his way to Scythia, and only the Getae offered resistance.

The Getae's two principal gods were Zalmoxis and Gebelaixis .

"This same people, when it lightens and thunders, aim their arrows at the sky, uttering threats against the god; and they do not believe that there is any god but their own." - Herodotus