11-23-2013, 06:07 PM
Hello, All
At this time of year, I have "infrequent" internet access here in the Great Velds of Maine. So, I'm not posting as often as I should. 8-)
In regards to previous posts on the Alans as "idol worshipers," as far as I know they worshiped a singular-- the sun. They had totemic deities too, the deer-horse, gryphon, eagle, etc. They did worship their ancestors. In the "sanctuary" between the Aral and Caspian seas, there are still a number of monoliths, mustashed like 19th century British non-coms, oft with an akinakes carved at the right thigh. These are believed to be the "ancesters," worshiped in times of need. They are also "idols," But they are just part of a pantheon of secondaries. I would think that by worshiping a singular "god" (the sun), it would have been easy to convert the Alans to Arian Christianity. Just one God, and then his Son (who was not God but his earthly son within Arianism, and opposing the triple-god idea of the Trinity). Like Robert said, it would be easy to convert the barbarians (Alans, Goths, Vandals, Heruli) to Arianism and more difficult to convince them to switch to the more orthodox Catholic church.
At this time of year, I have "infrequent" internet access here in the Great Velds of Maine. So, I'm not posting as often as I should. 8-)
In regards to previous posts on the Alans as "idol worshipers," as far as I know they worshiped a singular-- the sun. They had totemic deities too, the deer-horse, gryphon, eagle, etc. They did worship their ancestors. In the "sanctuary" between the Aral and Caspian seas, there are still a number of monoliths, mustashed like 19th century British non-coms, oft with an akinakes carved at the right thigh. These are believed to be the "ancesters," worshiped in times of need. They are also "idols," But they are just part of a pantheon of secondaries. I would think that by worshiping a singular "god" (the sun), it would have been easy to convert the Alans to Arian Christianity. Just one God, and then his Son (who was not God but his earthly son within Arianism, and opposing the triple-god idea of the Trinity). Like Robert said, it would be easy to convert the barbarians (Alans, Goths, Vandals, Heruli) to Arianism and more difficult to convince them to switch to the more orthodox Catholic church.
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
