As an Iranian-American with deep ancestral ties to the Scytho-Sarmatian heritage of the Alans, I have often reflected on how our people stood resilient against the waves of Altaic Turkic invaders who sought to impose Islam and destroy the Christian identity of the Iranic world. The Alans, a branch of the Sarmatians, were fierce warriors and devout Christians whose legacy was intertwined with their defense of their land, culture, and faith against the encroaching forces of the Muslim Turks.
Today, as a Christian conservative, I see the struggle of the Alans as not just a historical clash but a precursor to the ongoing battles between freedom-loving Christians and the forces of tyranny, whether Islamist or Marxist.
The Rise of the Alans
The Alans were an Iranic-speaking people descended from the Scythians and Sarmatians, nomads of the Eurasian steppes. By the time of the early centuries AD, many Alans had embraced Christianity, influenced by contact with the Roman Empire and the missionary efforts of early Christian evangelists. This adoption of Christianity set them apart from their pagan and later Muslim neighbors, defining their identity in a hostile world.
When the Muslim Arabs began their conquests in the 7th century, their invasions disrupted the Persian Sassanian Empire and many adjacent regions, including territories inhabited by the Alans. The Arabs sought to impose Islam on the Iranic peoples, who largely resisted. For the Christian Alans, their faith became a shield against assimilation into the Islamic caliphate’s theocratic tyranny.
The Turkic Threat
The Altaic Turks emerged as a significant force during the medieval period. Initially shamanistic nomads, the Turks converted to Islam and became one of its most militant propagators. By the time the Seljuks rose to power in the 11th century, the Turks had begun to expand into territories traditionally inhabited by Iranic and Caucasian peoples, including the Alans.
The Seljuk Turks and their successors sought to Islamize the Alans through a combination of military campaigns, forced conversions, and cultural subjugation. However, the Alans, situated in the North Caucasus, fortified their strongholds and allied with Christian powers such as Byzantium and Georgia to resist Turkic incursions.
The Alans’ Christian Identity
Christianity was more than a religion for the Alans; it was a unifying force that helped them maintain their cultural and national identity. The Alan clergy played a significant role in preserving their language and traditions through Christian liturgy and scripture. The Alans’ defense of Christianity was not merely a rejection of Islam but a rejection of the cultural and political domination that Islam represented.
Their resilience was exemplified in their alliances with Christian powers and their participation in battles against Turkic and Mongol invasions. Even when facing overwhelming odds, the Alans stood firm in their faith and identity.
Parallels to Modern Struggles
As an Iranian-American, I can draw parallels between the historical resistance of the Alans and the current resistance of Christians and freedom-loving peoples against Islamist and Marxist agendas. My own journey—from being a former socialist and leader in Muslim organizations like CAIR to becoming a Christian conservative—mirrors this historical struggle. Just as the Alans rejected the Turkic-Islamic imposition, I rejected the cultural and ideological forces that sought to strip me of my individuality, faith, and heritage.
The history of the Alans reminds us that faith and identity are worth defending. They teach us that even in the face of overwhelming forces, the steadfastness of a righteous cause can inspire generations.
Legacy of the Alans
Though the Alans as a distinct group eventually merged with other peoples, their legacy survives in regions such as Ossetia, where their descendants continue to practice Christianity. The story of the Alans is a testament to the resilience of the Iranic peoples and their ability to resist cultural and religious assimilation.
Today, we must honor their memory by standing firm in our faith and defending our freedoms against ideologies that seek to destroy the Christian foundations of Western civilization.
Citations
Golden, P. B. (1992). An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag.
Frye, R. N. (1975). The Heritage of Persia. World Publishing.
Sinor, D. (1990). The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia. Cambridge University Press.
Witzel, M. (2001). “The Iranian Alans and Their Legacy.” Journal of Indo-European Studies.
Braund, D. (1994). Georgia in Antiquity: A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia. Clarendon Press.
Pelensky, J. (1969). "The Alans: Guardians of the Caucasus." Slavic Review.
Christian, D. (1998). A History of Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia. Blackwell Publishing.
No comments:
Post a Comment