peoples. The abundant East Iranian-derived toponyms in Eastern Europe proper (e.g.
some of the largest rivers; the Dniestr and Dniepr), as well as loanwords adopted
predominantly through the Eastern Slavic languages and adopted aspects of Iranian
culture amongst the early Slavs, are all a remnant of this. A connection between Proto-
Slavonic and Iranian languages is also furthermore proven by the earliest layer
of loanwords in the former.[77] For instance, the Proto-Slavonic words for god (bogъ),
demon (divъ), house (xata), axe (toporъ) and dog (*sobaka) are of Scythian origin.[78]
The extensive contact between these Scytho-Sarmatian Iranian tribes in Eastern
Europe and the (Early) Slavs included religion. After Slavic and Baltic languages
diverged the Early Slavs interacted with Iranian peoples and merged elements of
Iranian spirituality into their beliefs. For example, both Early Iranian and Slavic
supreme gods were considered givers of wealth, unlike the supreme thunder gods in
many other European religions. Also, both Slavs and Iranians had demons –- given
names from similar linguistic roots, Daêva (Iranian) and Divŭ (Slavic) –- and a concept
of dualism, of good and evil.[79]
The Sarmatians of the east, based in the Pontic–Caspian steppe, became the Alans, who
also ventured far and wide, with a branch ending up in Western Europe and then North
Africa, as they accompanied the Germanic Vandals and Suebi during their migrations.
The modern Ossetians are believed to be the direct descendants of the Alans, as other
remnants of the Alans disappeared following Germanic, Hunnic and ultimately Slavic
migrations and invasions.[80] Another group of Alans allied with Goths to defeat the
Romans and ultimately settled in what is now called Catalonia (Goth-Alania).[81]
Hormizd I, Sassanian coin