On This Day

Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees and appear in Hispania

The Alans (Latin: Alani) were an ancient and medieval Iranic nomadic pastoral people who migrated to what is today the North Caucasus; some continued on to Europe and later North Africa.

The Alans (Latin: Alani) were an ancient and medieval Iranic nomadic pastoral people who migrated to what is today the North Caucasus; some continued on to Europe and later North Africa. They are generally regarded as part of the Sarmatians, and possibly related to the Massagetae. Modern historians have connected the Alans with the Central Asian Yancai of Chinese sources and with the Aorsi of Roman sources. Having migrated westwards and becoming dominant among the Sarmatians on the Pontic–Caspian steppe, the Alans are mentioned by Roman sources in the 1st century CE. At that time they had settled in the region north of the Black Sea and frequently raided the Parthian Empire and the South Caucasus provinces of the Roman Empire.

Historical Significance

The Alans (Latin: Alani) were an ancient and medieval Iranic nomadic pastoral people who migrated to what is today the North Caucasus; some continued on to Europe and later North Africa.

Events Before

  1. St Anastasius I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pope Anastasius I was the bishop of Rome from 27 November 399 to his death on 19 December 401. Anastasius was born in Rome, and was the son of Maximus.

  2. St. Innocent I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St. Innocent I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  3. Last known gladiator competition in Rome

    Last known gladiator competition in Rome

  4. Arsacius of Tarsus is installed as puppet Archbishop of Constantinople after the expulsion of John Chrysostom, promptin

    Arsacius of Tarsus is installed as puppet Archbishop of Constantinople after the expulsion of John Chrysostom, prompting people of the city to worship outside the city walls in protest

  5. "The Great Invasion" sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of

    "The Great Invasion" sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of Gaul

Events After

  1. Rome is overrun by Visigoths under Alaric I for the first time in nearly 800 years, seen as the fall of the Western Roma

    Rome is overrun by Visigoths under Alaric I for the first time in nearly 800 years, seen as the fall of the Western Roman Empire

  2. King Ataulf of Narbonne marries emperor Honorius sister Galle Placidia

    King Ataulf of Narbonne marries emperor Honorius sister Galle Placidia

  3. Jewish autonomy in Palestine ended by the Romans and Raban Gamliel forced from office

    Jewish autonomy in Palestine ended by the Romans and Raban Gamliel forced from office

  4. Saint Zosimus begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Zosimus begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. Jews are excluded from public office in the Roman Empire

    Jews are excluded from public office in the Roman Empire

More from the 400s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 13, 409?
The Alans (Latin: Alani) were an ancient and medieval Iranic nomadic pastoral people who migrated to what is today the North Caucasus; some continued on to Europe and later North Africa. They are generally regarded as part of the Sarmatians, and possibly related to the Massagetae. Modern historians have connected the Alans with the Central Asian Yancai of Chinese sources and with the Aorsi of Roman sources.
Why is Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees and appear in Hispania significant?
The Alans (Latin: Alani) were an ancient and medieval Iranic nomadic pastoral people who migrated to what is today the North Caucasus; some continued on to Europe and later North Africa.

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