The Alan mercenary cavalry: Historically accurate?

[Hurin_Rules]

I think the Alans were pretty much assimilated into Germanic/Frankish society by the end of the 3rd century ad. I can't recall any mention of them after the 4th century. Perhaps the designers meant the Avars, whom Charlemagne conquered in the 9th century. Even they were pretty much gone by the 10th century, however.

The point: I don't think Alan mercenary cavalry are a historically accurate unit. Anyone have any more info on this?

cheers

[Pablo Sanchez]

IIRC, the Byzantines referred to horse peoples in general as Alans.

[Nowake]

Quote[/b] (Pablo Sanchez @ July 05 2003,22:39)]IIRC, the Byzantines referred to horse peoples in general as Alans.
Indeed, this is very true. The barbarian horsemen were all called alans in the EMpire. Same as voynics were the slav troops tthey recruited.

[Hurin_Rules]

Aaaahhhh.

That makes a lot of sense. Kind of like how the Byzantines and Muslims just called all westerners 'Franks'.

Okies. So here's the kicker: what then are the 'Alan mercenary cavalry' if they're not really Alans?

P.S. Loved that Trotsky quote in your signature

[Leet Eriksson]

any people from the steppe:mongols,turks,tartars..i think..

[Nowake]

not turks http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[bighairyman]

i can never find the ALan mercenary in my inns, anybody else have this problem?

[Pablo Sanchez]

Quote[/b] (bighairyman @ July 05 2003,16:17)]i can never find the ALan mercenary in my inns, anybody else have this problem?
It could be that your province is too developed. Mercenaries stay away from well developed infrastructure.

[Hakonarson]

Alans may have stayed around as horse archers from the Steppes until about the end of the MTW period, but they weer not as numerous as other tribes, althoug hthey weer often longer lasting

Those that went to France etc., were not the entire population - rather groups or tribes hired as mercenaries.

[khurjan]

well basically if you took all the central asian tribes they all had a similiar style of fighting...that means a hun from attila's time would be comfortable with fighting and living with mongols and turkish tribes

i think they used alan as a generalised term for these calvary

[kataphraktoi]

Byzantine sources are remarkably notorious for generalising people from the steppes. Unless there is detailed contact between the two, one can expect nothing more but generalisations.

"Scyth" was a common term for such steppe people, hence, the Greek word "Scythikon" used in various and numerous Byzantine documents and sources.

A little clue from the 11th century might provide light on these "people", the wife of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Botanietes and the Emperor before him was Mary Of Alania - her origins are specified rather than generalised.

There is also reason to believe that the Alans lived just north of the Caucasus mountains - just above Ibera(Georgia). Several historical atlases take the time to even mention them

After the 11th century, one can only assume "assimilation" like most people who live on the steppe or on the fringes.

Alans certainly existed by 1081.

[bighairyman]

Quote[/b] (Pablo Sanchez @ July 05 2003,17:48)]
Quote[/b] (bighairyman @ July 05 2003,16:17)]i can never find the ALan mercenary in my inns, anybody else have this problem?
It could be that your province is too developed. Mercenaries stay away from well developed infrastructure.
wowm i never knew that. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

thanks http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mechstra]

The higher the level of castle you have, the less chance there is that mercs will come to you.

My problem is the opposite, actually; the Alan's won't stay away from my inns. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[bighairyman]

Quote[/b] (Mechstra @ July 07 2003,13:06)]The higher the level of castle you have, the less chance there is that mercs will come to you.

My problem is the opposite, actually; the Alan's won't stay away from my inns. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
hehe, i wish i have ur problem http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

i love light cavalry, always have at least 1 in my army to capture fleeing soldiers and excute them all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif