Alania
Alania was a medieval kingdom of the Iranian Alans (Proto-Ossetians) that flourished between the 9th–13th centuries in the Northern Caucasus, roughly in the location of latter-day Circassia, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and modern North Ossetia–Alania. With its capital at Maghas, the location of which is still disputed, it became independent from the Khazars in the late 9th century. It was Christianized by a Byzantine missionary soon after, in the early 10th century.
Kingdom of Alania | |||||||||
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| Late 9th century–1240 | |||||||||
Map of Alania during the 9th–12th centuries, according to Ossetian historian Ruslan Bzarov | |||||||||
| Status | Kingdom | ||||||||
| Capital | Maghas | ||||||||
| Common languages | Alanic / Proto-Ossetian | ||||||||
| Religion | Scythian religion Christianity (10th century) | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||
| Late 9th century | |||||||||
• Fall of Maghas during the Mongol conquests | 1240 | ||||||||
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Reaching its peak in the 11th century, under the rule of king Durgulel, it profited from controlling a vital trade route through the Darial Pass. It maintained close relations not only with the Byzantine Empire, but also the Kingdom of Georgia as well as the small Dagestani kingdom of Sarir, the first two also employing Alan mercenaries, who were infamous horsemen. It was responsible for spreading Orthodox Christianity among neighboring pagan peoples such as the Circassians and Vainakhs. The kingdom eventually declined from the 12th century and had largely ceased to function as a political entity by the early 13th century. In 1239/1240 the Mongols invaded, storming and destroying the capital Maghas in the process.