05-26-2016, 02:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2016, 04:26 AM by Michael Kerr.)
It would seem odd that Aetius would put such "unreliable" allies as the Alans in charge of such a strategic city as Orleans which if lost would have opened up Gaul south of the Loire. Jordanes does appear biased in his treatment of Sangiban in particular and the Alans, but Aetius seemed to trust them. We have such scant information on Sangiban & what relationship he had with Eochar who seems to have died a few years before Chalons. Was he a relative of Eochar (son, grandson, brother or nephew as many steppe tribes practiced lateral leadership changes rather than father to son) or was he chosen or backed by Aetius to lead the Loire Alans because he knew he would be the best man to ensure their continuing loyal service to the Romans.
Regards
Michael Kerr
Regards
Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
