Alans

The Alans or Alani were an Iranian nomadic group among the Sarmatian people, warlike nomadic pastoralists of mixed backgrounds, who spoke an Iranian language and shared, in a broad sense, a common culture.

Medieval Alania

In the 8th century a consolidated Alan kingdom, referred to in sources of the period{{fact}} as Alania, emerged in the northern Caucasus Mountains, roughly in the location of modern Circassia and Ossetia. Its capital was Maghas, and it controlled the vital trade route through the Darial Pass. At times it had an outlet to the sea via the ancient port city of Phasis.

Related Topics:
Circassia - Ossetia - Maghas - Darial Pass - Phasis

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In the 800's, the Alan kingdom in the Caucasus fell under the overlordship of the Khazar Khaganate. They were staunch allies of the Khazars, supporting them against a Byzantine-led coalition during the reign of the Khazar king Benjamin. According to the anonymous author of the Schechter Letter, many Alans were during this period adherents of Judaism. However, in the early 900's, the Alans fell under the influence of the Byzantine Empire, possibly due to the conversion of their ruler to Christianity. The Byzantines, who had adopted an anti-Khazar foreign policy, involved the Alans in a war against the Khaganate during the reign of the Khazar ruler Aaron II, probably the early 920's CE. In this war the Alans were defeated and their king captured. According to Muslim sources such as al-Mas'udi, the Alans abandoned Christianity and expelled the Byzantine missionaries and clergy roughly contemporaneously with these events. Aaron's son married the daughter of the Alan king and Alania was re-aligned with the Khazars, remaining so until the collapse of the Khaganate in the 960's.

Related Topics:
Khazar - Khaganate - Byzantine - Benjamin - Schechter Letter - Judaism - Christianity - Aaron II - Muslim - Al-Mas'udi

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Thereafter, the Alan kings frequently allied with the Byzantines and various Georgian rulers for protection against encroachments by steppe people such as the Pechenegs and Kipchaks. Around 1395 Timur's army invaded Northern Caucasus and massacred much of the Alanian population.

Related Topics:
Byzantines - Georgian - Pechenegs - Kipchaks - 1395 - Timur

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