One of the greatest mysteries of the medieval period lies in the castles that were supposedly built during this time—structures with four-foot-thick walls that have stood the test of time and are still standing in their full glory even today. While most people don’t know that these castles were traditionally painted white after their construction, even fewer are aware of a deeper connection to a pre-diluvian world.
This knowledge was preserved by the Alans, who, according to surface history, were just nomadic people from the Eurasian steppes. But it turns out that they may have evolved into the master builders of medieval Europe, capable of constructing fortified stone cities. With their integration into the Roman Empire, the Alans left a lasting impact on European military architecture and may have even established the concept of knighthood!
The Skilled Builders of Fortified Cities
The map from Piri Reis’s Book of Navigation (1525) offers a compelling glimpse into the influence of the Alans during the medieval period. The text above the city reads “قَلْعَة ألان,” which translates to “Fortress of Alans” or “Castle of Alans,” suggesting that the Alans were either rulers of the region or renowned for constructing the fortified cities. This highlights their potential dominance or architectural expertise in building key defensive structures.
Nearby, the text next to a smaller settlement reads “بندر بارطو,” meaning “Port Bartu,” indicating that the Alans likely controlled this strategic port, essential for both trade and military logistics. Additionally, the river’s name, “نهر دنیبر,” translates to “Dnieper River,” a vital waterway connecting northern Europe to the Black Sea, further underscoring the Alans’ presence in crucial regions of commerce and defense.
Roman Influence
Once the Alans had fully integrated with the federate troops of the Roman Empire, they readily added Roman engineering and construction techniques to their military capabilities. The Alans quickly proved themselves, building and maintaining forts, watchtowers, and other military structures, further enhancing their architectural skills.
The Romans were quick to utilize the strength of their new partners. They didn’t have the ability to ride on heavy horses to establish trading routes, as they were traditionally a walking army. The speed advantage the Alans presented meant they were deployed in various regions of the Roman Empire, including Gaul, Hispania, and Britain, providing military support. Their role often included constructing and defending fortified cities.
The Alans had another very special skill, which you will see in the next map. They were able to forge strong alliances, as they had done with the Romans, to further advance their goals, making secondary agreements with the Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and, as we will see later, their most important partners, the Vandals.
Cultural Influence and Architectural Mastery
Their integration into Roman society gave the Alans a launchpad to spread their building techniques and military practices across the empire. As they migrated westward, they built structures and fortified cities along their path. But more importantly, these formidable men in armour left their mark on the people.
Knights are famed for saving princesses, who would then become wives, signalling for that knight to retire into an influential position and end their personal leg of the migration. Because these hardened men of war were also masters of the soft art of diplomacy, they were able to organize local support for building projects. This meant they left their new architectural styles, building techniques, and most importantly, their lineage in the regions where they settled.
The Alanic Concept of Knighthood
The traditional view of a man in armor on a heavy horse likely began with the Alans’ advanced metallurgy knowledge, allowing them to produce such effective iron armor. This, coupled with their advanced horsemanship and specialized horses, meant that they had developed the concept of the knight. However, it was when they integrated on the shores of Albion that things became particularly special. When they merged with British culture, the combination of these two ancient peoples resulted in the birth of the “British Knights of the Realm,” a position still held and highly regarded today.
Their introduction of heavily armoured cavalry and fortified cities shaped the medieval knightly culture. At the same time, as the Alans migrated through Europe, the local cultures and people they encountered also influenced and transformed them. This combination could be why we see so many distinctly different Europeanised groups that all hold the same underlying code of conduct, influenced by the Alans’ military traditions and architectural skills.
Final Thoughts
Whether the Alans built these structures from the ground up or had knowledge of where lost structures were waiting to be founded, they demonstrated their ability to build strongholds. The culture of knightly behavior has evidently followed in their wake. Although in the short term many of these new establishments were seen as oppressive control centres, they inevitably became the safe havens of Europe and the backbone of what would become the medieval Crusades.
Join us in our next article to see how this small group shaped the medieval landscape and get a glimpse of how these long-distance events are still shaping our realm to this day.
