Already in the fourth century Alans were settled in Pannonia
together with Goths and Huns under the leadership of Alatheus and
Saphrac. They served as federates and regular soldiers and officers
f.i. in the armies of Gratianus, Theodosius I and Stilicho. Groups of
Alans were also settled in Italy and Gaul. The French name Alain
has its roots in Alanus und Allen is the English form of it.
Cf. Bernard S. Bachrach, A History of the Alans in the West.
Minneapolis 1973.
Regards
Andreas Schwarcz
Ao.Univ.Prof.Dr.Andreas Schwarcz
Institut für österreichische Geschichtsforschung
Universität Wien
Dr.Karl Lueger-Ring 1
A-1010 Wien
Österreich
Tel.0043/1/42-77/272-16
Fax 0043/142-77/92-72