Roxolani, Cataphracts? Or imposters?

[Alanus]

As Michael is aware, I once put together a complete set of "combination armor" plus a helmet in the style seen on Trajan's column. I was interested in Tacitus' description of the Roxolani being disabled and finding it difficult to regain their feet after being knocked onto the ice. As it turned out, the entire armor, plus my two-handed sword and helmet, weighed 70 pounds. It's not easy righting yourself, and you have to roll over onto your stomach and push yourself up with your hands. As far as I'm concerned, this outfit was the equivalent of cataphract armor. Details of various pieces of early Alan armor can be found in Simonenko's book, "Sarmatian Riders of the Pontic Steppe," available as a PDF with English explanations toward the end of the book. Here is the armor as worn: