Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Alanus]

Salve, Rodi

I'm pressed for time, will make this short and then come back later. Yes, I have studied the Sarmats/Alani and their relationship to the Goths, to later Taifali influences in Armorica and Britain. I believe that Herwig Wolfram expressed it best, that the Taifali were Sarmatian/Alanic. My own theory is that after the Roxolani advanced beyond Moldova, the next group-- the Taifali-- were impinged between the Tyrfingi Goths and Greutungi Goths. The Taifali appear to have created a foedus with the Tyrfingi that lasted for eight (8) generations. When Fritigern's Tyrfingi were allowed into Roman Moesia, the Taifali were not. They moved upriver and joined a band of Greutungi led by Farnobius. In an unfortunate battle in Illyricum, these Greutungi and Taifali were defeated by General Frigeridus, himself a Goth.

You know the rest of the tale-- the defeated Taifali and Goths were relocated onto the best pasture-land of the Po Valley and formed into the Equites Taifali. They were then sent to Gaul, just below the Loire. And they were later split into two alae, the Seniores (the bears) and the Iuniores (with the dragon and pearl). These two symbols are almost exclusively "Arthurian," and I believe they were sent across the Channel as commanded by the last Count of Britain. hock:

To me, the Taifali horses and the gray cattle were of great importance, especially in cavalry service and the construction of compound bows. I have a 45-pound asymetrical built from gray cattle horn by Czaba Grozer. The bow is awesome! It reaches 49 pounds with a 30 inch draw and really punches an arrow. The asymetrical is oft described as 'Hunnish," but we now know that the Alans and many other Sarmatians also used them. I would like to know more about their horses, since the breed had great historical significance within the late Roman cavalry.

ps: You studies and insights are very helpful. Post more! :wink:

Best regards,