Alania

Alania was a medieval kingdom of the Alans that flourished between the 9th and 13th centuries in the Northern Caucasus area, inhabited by the Iranian-speaking Alans and various native north Caucasian ethnic groups. With its capital known as Maghas, the location of which is still disputed, it became independent from the Khazars and in the late 9th century. The state was Christianized by a Byzantine missionary sent by Constantinople soon after, in the early 10th century. Reaching its peak in the 11th century, under the rule of King Durgulel, it profited from controlling a vital trade route through the Darial Pass. It maintained close relations not only with the Byzantine Empire but also the Kingdom of Georgia, as well as the small Dagestani kingdom of Sarir; the first two also employed Alan mercenaries, who were infamous horsemen. It was responsible for spreading Orthodox Christianity among neighboring pagan peoples such as the Circassians and Vainakhs. The kingdom eventually declined from the 12th century and had largely ceased to function as a political entity by the early 13th century. In 1239/1240 the Mongols invaded, stormed and destroyed the capital, Maghas, in the process.