[gothic-l] Alans and Huns

[Bertil Häggman]

Francisc et al,

Concerning the Alans I think one should also keep in mind
that they had an alliance with Rome at times. The Alans probably to
some extent influenced the Roman cavalry tactic. But the
Alans were not only warriors. They were merchants with
close relations to the Mediterranean world. There is a
Greek monument at Taman of 208 AD praising the
Alan interpreter. The Roman Emperor Maximinus the
Thracian had a Gothic father and an Alan mother. One
could also speak of Alan assimilation of Goths. See Ammianus
Marcellinus, Res Gestae, who wrote that "almost
all of the Alans are tall and good looking, their hair
is generally blond". Alans found in graves in the Volga
region were tall for their time: 182-189 centimeters.
They were victims of the Huns (BTW, have never seen
of Huns cooperating with Goths on an equal basis so to
say. The Goths were of course for a period subjected by
the Huns. But there were Hun mercenaries in Roman
service. Huns were used by Rome against the
Burgundians).

Alan colonists fought the Ostrogoths and were
settled in Italy. The Alans left many traces in Gaul. They
joined Athaulf in 414 AD in southern Gaul. Aetius also
settled Alans in Gaul. They often belonged to the higher
levels of society. Alans (except for those in North
Africa) seem to have taken to mainstream Christianity.
Don't know much on Alan culture in Gaul but the Alans
seem to have operated in small groups and were thus
easily assimilated. But their horsemanship may have
influenced chivalry in thre early Medieval times.

Generally it seems there was mutual assimilation and
interaction between Alans, Goths, Avandals and Rome.

Avars are also interesting as an interacting people with
the East Germanics and with Rome.

Generally the subject of these interactions between
Nomadic peoples and the Goths is a fascinating story,
which certainly belongs to this list.

Gothically

Bertil


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