"the notion that steppe people are inherently austere"
They are not inherently austere, but the very fact that they tend to move around limits how much they can own and carry with them. Plus, by living far inland, it is harder to reach them using ships, which were by far the most efficient transport means until the advent of railways.
Until railways, wealth made by long distance trade tended to concentrate in major seaports or in cities on important rivers that could be easily supplied by water (Vienna, Paris, Prague).
They are not inherently austere, but the very fact that they tend to move around limits how much they can own and carry with them. Plus, by living far inland, it is harder to reach them using ships, which were by far the most efficient transport means until the advent of railways.
Until railways, wealth made by long distance trade tended to concentrate in major seaports or in cities on important rivers that could be easily supplied by water (Vienna, Paris, Prague).