Alania

Alania was the kingdom of the Iranian-speaking Alans in the North Caucasus. The Mongols destroyed its capital Maghas in 1239–1240, but highland Alan communities survived into 1337.

Timur’s campaigns in 1395 shattered the lowland remnant. Survivors withdrew into mountain gorges and became the Ossetians, divided into Iron and Digor, while Alans on the plain merged with the Kabardians and Karachay-Balkars. In 1774 the Ossetian highlanders sought Russian protection.