Sarmatian Cavalry

[Alanus]

I actually mistyped, I meant mid 1st century, Western Sarmatian. I was exhausted last night, could barely think. I've been trying to find some good artifact images, I'm a good metal worker and wanted to take a stab at a sword. Getting enough time to do research is hard right now, I want to be able to knowledgably portray a Sarmatian as well as I did Native Americans.

On that subject, is there much written record on the Sarmatian language? My wife wants to be involved as well.

Hello Matthew,

Ah! The 1st century... just as hard. The western Saraumatae (phase I) were the Iazyges and two or three related tribes, the last either dying out or infused with the eastern branch. This group had short Scythian-styled swords, and the one in the British Museum can be dated fairly early because it was found with coins of Commodus. Five or six thousand Iazyges were sent into Britain early on by M. Aurelius, which accounts for the sword. The language was lost.

Not that I want to influence you; BUT if you go with the western branch (phase II and III), you can still have a 1st century impression and also find more grit. The first tribe to hit the Danube and Europe was the Roxolani (the "Shining Alani"), then the Taifali who joined the Tyrfingi Goths, then the major emigration of Alans proper. This group has influenced my reenactment impression, although my helmet is not like the Roxolani ones on Trajan's column.

This group had long swords, as described by Tacitus, and their armor was sometimes heavy, especially cataphracts. I pictured an early Han-influenced sword on related RAT threads-- "The Orlat Battle Plaque," "Early Alanic Sword," and "Reproduction Akinakes." The akinakes-- thigh dagger-- is well documented and easy to make. Your scale armor fits, since some of it was described as made from horse-hooves or horn.

The eastern language is still extant, now called Ossetic, still spoken by Alanic descendants in the Caucasus. Janos Harmatta has done a lot with the language, publishing a paper, which see. (I think it's still on the internet) John Colarusso did a thesarus on Ossetic. He was teaching at MacMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. At one time I had his email address, but I lost it.:roll:

The Phase I branch infused with the Alanic branch, and their customs and language became easternized. By the end of the 2nd century, the Iazyges and Roxolani were referred to by Roman historians as "Sarmatians." This group caused havoc for years and whipped Theodosius the Younger to the point where he was recalled and "sent home" to Spain. They also influenced Germanic tribes in their style of fighting.

Hope some of this is helpful.