Origin of the Alans

[Alanus]

I'm not sure how popular this thread has been. It hasn't been high on the agenda, maybe because it's not "Roman," or possibly because RAT activity (on the whole) has dwindled. Here are a few additional observations, the first being the strange "collars" depicted in the Orlat plaque. We don't see them when the Alans reach Europe, and some members might wonder where they came from. I'd venture to guess they were originally Yuezhi. They appear in the films, The Last Supper and Red Cliff. The former takes place during the transition from the Qin to Han Dynasty.

Even later, we see the same armor with lamellar collars. Han Piao Ji, a serious student of early armor, has made a reproduction of Emperor Wu-di's personal outfit. Here Mr. Han is shown wearing the emperor's armor.

   

The Yuezhi/Wusun contribution to the Chinese, in both swords and armor, was significant. In its modified form, the Alans introduced this style to the Sassanian and Roman armies. For you enjoyment, I recommend The Last Supper for its faith to history, taken straight from the pen of Sima Qian. This heavy drama relates the intertwined lives of Lord Yu, General Xin, and Liu Bang... the first Han emperor. It's not a sword-n-slash flick, so may not fit the interests of RATers looking for info on Roman gladii. (Check out Liu Bang's accurate sword, complete with its scabbard covered with white ray-skin... exactly as described in the Shi-ji.)