In AD175 Marcus Aurelius brought 5,500 Sarmatian heavy cavalry warriors to northern Britain where, after twenty years service, they “settled in a permanent military colony in Lancashire” which was “still mentioned almost 250 years later.” You remind us of the possibility that the colony could have influenced the legend of King Arthur, and go on to add something new: it also “could have introduced several thousand copies of that hypothetical allele into Lancashire” and that the average Englishman “might be mostly Sarmatian in a key gene or two.” I’m English, and intrigued! Are you able to expand on this? (Book pp. 146-148) I hope it is something good like increased unruliness (independence streak) and aggressiveness in battle and not something naff like Sarmatian lewdness...!!
In AD175 Marcus Aurelius brought 5,500 Sarmatian heavy cavalry warriors to northern Britain where, after twenty years service, they “settled in a permanent military colony in Lancashire” which was “still mentioned almost 250 years later.” You remind us of the possibility that the colony could have influenced the legend of King Arthur, and go on to add something new: it also “could have introduced several thousand copies of that hypothetical allele into Lancashire” and that the average Englishman “might be mostly Sarmatian in a key gene or two.” I’m English, and intrigued! Are you able to expand on this? (Book pp. 146-148) I hope it is something good like increased unruliness (independence streak) and aggressiveness in battle and not something naff like Sarmatian lewdness...!!
I have no further knowledge or insight about that, but Greg might. I will call this question to his attention and we may see what he knows.
HCH