Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Alanus]

I'm taking the middle-ground on this one. Have never been an adherant of the "Sarmatian" theory. However, during the last three-quarter century of the Western Empire there could well have been a large number of Alans, Taifals, and Goths in the Roman cavalry. This statement is based on the names of high commanders and designations of the units themselves-- the Equites Taifali (two alas) and the Alani unit in Italy. We have cavalry shields bearing dragons from three late units entering Britain, while a dragon then shows up from "nowhere" on the Welsh flag. Yet none of these units probably had "Sarmatians," aka Iazyges and kindred Sauromatae extending from the western Scythians. The Alani, Roxolani, and Taifals were entirely different people.

I would prefer to let Arthurofthebritons continue his zeal and studies on the subject, rather than close it down.