Alania

Alania was a medieval kingdom located in the northern Caucasus region, roughly in what is now southern Russia. It was inhabited by the Alans, an Iranian-speaking people who shared cultural roots with the Persians and Central Asians. During the early Middle Ages, Alania was a significant political and military force, often acting as a buffer between the Byzantine Empire and the expanding powers of the steppe nomads. Over time, it declined due to invasions and assimilation, with its people gradually integrating into surrounding cultures. Today, the legacy of Alania persists in regional history and cultural heritage.