At the beginning of the 5th century, the Western Roman Empire was experiencing difficult times. The war between Emperor Honorius and the usurper Constantine III was exhausting Iberia, paving the way for the invasion of barbarian tribes. In 411, according to chronicles, an agreement was reached among the incoming peoples to divide the Spanish lands. The Suebi settled in southern Galicia, the Vandals occupied the north of this region and Baetica, while the Alans, nomads of Iranian origin, received the central and western regions of the peninsula, where they even managed to establish their own, albeit short-lived, kingdom. After a series of defeats by the Visigoths and the death of their ruler Addax, the Alan state disappeared by 419. The brevity of their rule led to them being almost forgotten for a long time.
Recently, archaeologists near Salamanca (Salamanca) discovered an image on an ancient slab, which they believe may be the first artistic evidence of Alan warriors’ presence in Spain. On a piece of slate measuring 47 by 36 centimeters, found in the small settlement of Alconada (Alconada), two human figures, a horse, and a mysterious snake descending diagonally are carved.
The central figure stands out by a long tunic and an outstretched arm directed toward another person. The second figure is dressed in something resembling a mail gorget and a belt with a mesh pattern. The horse is depicted with clearly detailed bridle and reins, and a protective headpiece is visible on its head. The snake, although not fully rendered due to damage to the slab, is identifiable by its scales and distinctive “whiskers” on its skin.
Previously, it was believed that this scene illustrated the biblical story of the Whore of Babylon, but new studies have refuted this interpretation. The image lacks key details typical of apocalyptic scenes, such as a multi-headed beast or a cup filled with abominations. Instead, researchers focused on elements of military equipment: the belt, mail gorget, helmet, and lamellar armor indicate an elite heavy cavalry rider, typical of Alanic and Sarmatian units of late antiquity.
Of particular interest is the snake, which archaeologists tend to interpret as a stylized image of a dracoβa wind standard characteristic of nomadic cavalry. It is possible that the artist, having observed the scene, did not fully understand the purpose of this object, which led to an unusual depiction. Similar errors can be seen in the belt depiction: its components may have been distorted due to incomplete understanding or fleeting observation.
Apparently, the artist was so impressed by what he saw that he decided to preserve the image of this unusual warrior for posterity. After the fall of the Alan kingdom, some of its people merged with other ethnic groups, but certain traditions and elements of their weaponry continued to exist for a long time. This new discovery not only confirms the presence of the Alans in the center of the Iberian Peninsula but also offers a new perspective on their role in the region’s history.
