Location: Alans land consisted of the territory along the Caucasian Mountains east to the land known as the Caspian Gates. The Alans lived a nomadic life-style, traveling frequently. The Alans were first discovered north of the Caspian Sea. Lands occupied and settled by Alans were known as Berzylia, land whose cities were originally built by Romans.
Language: Iranian
History: The Alans are descendants of ancient Scytho-Sarmatian tribes. Throughout the 2nd to the 4th centuries, the Alans moved from the northern Caspian Sea area and took over the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Eventually, the Alans split into two. Migrating west, half of the Alans merged with the Germanic people, settling in Gaul, Portugal, and making a final settlement in North Africa. This half of the Alans connected with the Vandals and became one. Suevi, a German tribe, linked to the Vandals and the Alans in about AD 407. Soon, the Suevi people moved on to Portugal, leaving the Vandals and Alans. In the year 416, the defeat of the Roman Empire by the Visiogths made for another move for the Alans. The other portion of the Alans went in the opposite direction. They settled in the Caucasus Mountains. This half of the Alans eventually became part of the Ossestians, in the Republic of Georgia.
Daily Life: Both military and domestic activities were predominant in the daily life of the Alans. Some were soldiers, some were civilians. Many had outstanding theatrical talent that was exercised in the parks. Throughout the seasons, Alans produced fruits, wines, grains, and cotton. Lumbering and raising livestock were an integral part of their economic survival. The Alans were Christians. The Alans frequently raided the Parithian and Roman empires.
Best Known Feature: The Alans were known as warlike individuals. They were best known for being specialized in horse breeding. The Alans were also known for being nomadic. They did not settle in one place for a long period of time. They were known as Iranian steppe people, speaking Iranian and living on mostly grassy lands.
TIMELINE OF ALANS CULTURE http://members.ozemail.com.au/~karachay/chaptd.html
References:
Untitled Chronological Historical References to the dynamic history of the horsemen of Western Asia http://www2.4dcomm.com/millenia/1000ad.htm. 9 March 2001.
Fact Monster Search Fact Monster http://www.factmonster.com/search.php3?query=alani 9 March 2001
Written by: Jenny Callahan