08-17-2009, 05:12 AM
Mitra, you are fairly-much on the money.
The Alans were the earlier Massagetae who, in turn, branched from the Saka ("tall hat Scythians"), all of whom originated in the Altai but came from the bronze age Androvono culture. I think the Aorsi were also Alanic, as were the Taifali and Roxolani ("light Alans"). All had an Asiatic admixture and carried fairly long swords.
The other group, the western Scythians, produced the earliest "Sauromatae" through an Alanic infusion (Herodotus called the Alanic women "Amazons"). We find the Iazyges in this group. They used shorter, Scythian-styled, swords.
I'm pressed for time. More later.
The Alans were the earlier Massagetae who, in turn, branched from the Saka ("tall hat Scythians"), all of whom originated in the Altai but came from the bronze age Androvono culture. I think the Aorsi were also Alanic, as were the Taifali and Roxolani ("light Alans"). All had an Asiatic admixture and carried fairly long swords.
The other group, the western Scythians, produced the earliest "Sauromatae" through an Alanic infusion (Herodotus called the Alanic women "Amazons"). We find the Iazyges in this group. They used shorter, Scythian-styled, swords.
I'm pressed for time. More later.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
