AHC Crimean Gothic Diaspora

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Make the Crimean Goths become a diaspora people. Diaspora people similarily to how Romani are a diaspora people.

Perhaps a new term should be used for Crimean Goths as they will not be concentrated in Crimea. What about Coths, as combination of the words "crimean" and "goth". Any suggestions?
 
What is a diaspora? How does a diaspora appear? How does a diaspora reproduce itself multi-generationally? Why or how does a diaspora stay a diaspora? When does a diaspora end or dissapear?
 
Well, if the Khazar Khaganate had survived, the Crimean Goths would be the primary Christian group inside the Khaganate other than Byzantine Greeks. Enmity with the Byzantine Empire itself could keep the Byzantine Greeks from converting other peoples inside the Khazar Khaganate.

Over time, the Crimean Goths might just migrate across the Khaganate, dispersing themselves, but also remain distinct due to their Christian faith. This could be reinforced by having Kievan Rus' convert to Judaism or Islam instead of adopting Christianity, so that no new Christian influences arrive in Khazaria.

Additionally, perhaps during a war in Crimea with the Byzantines or the Rus', the Khazars resettle some Crimean Goths on the Volga, which could speed up the creation of the Gothic diaspora.
 
Well, if the Khazar Khaganate had survived, the Crimean Goths would be the primary Christian group inside the Khaganate other than Byzantine Greeks. Enmity with the Byzantine Empire itself could keep the Byzantine Greeks from converting other peoples inside the Khazar Khaganate.

Over time, the Crimean Goths might just migrate across the Khaganate, dispersing themselves, but also remain distinct due to their Christian faith. This could be reinforced by having Kievan Rus' convert to Judaism or Islam instead of adopting Christianity, so that no new Christian influences arrive in Khazaria.

Additionally, perhaps during a war in Crimea with the Byzantines or the Rus', the Khazars resettle some Crimean Goths on the Volga, which could speed up the creation of the Gothic diaspora.
Do you think this could happen in a Khazar Khaganate with similar course as OTL? Similar course as in dissapearing and the territory becomes occupied by groups like Mongols, Tatars and Russians later? How would the Gothic population react to the coming and going of these different groups?

Also OTL there was a revolt in Khazar ruled Gothia. This revolt would later be suppressed. Perhaps this event could spur Khazar led resettlement/dispersion of Goths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Gothia
 
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Do you think this could happen in a Khazar Khaganate with similar course as OTL? Similar course as in dissapearing and the territory becomes occupied by groups like Mongols, Tatars and Russians later? How would the Gothic population react to the coming and going of these different groups?
If the Khazars still fall, the Goths probably fall with them, but there are ways they could survive.

If the "Volga Goths" are sedentary agriculturalists after their dispersal, and inhabit scattered villages along the Volga and Don, then if the Khazars disappear, subsequent invasions from the east probably wipe out the Goths outside of Crimea proper.

However, if the Volga Goths become a semi-pastoralist culture like the Cossacks or Sarmatians, then a Gothic "chiefdom" may survive in some portion of the Pontic steppe as vassals of the new conquerors. From there they could carve out another sphere of influence and potentially settle down once again in a new area.

Either way, the Goths might be able to migrate back west, into Rus', the Baltic region, or Hungary, possibly even joining the Magyars in their conquest of Pannonia.

Also OTL there was a revolt in Khazar ruled Gothia. This revolt would later be suppressed. Perhaps this event could spur Khazar led resettlement/dispersion of Goths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Gothia
That seems like a good POD.
 
If the Khazars still fall, the Goths probably fall with them, but there are ways they could survive.
The Eurasian plains are a dangerous part of the planet. Slavers, warring tribes, hit and run, sabotage, armed migration.
If the "Volga Goths" are sedentary agriculturalists after their dispersal, and inhabit scattered villages along the Volga and Don, then if the Khazars disappear, subsequent invasions from the east probably wipe out the Goths outside of Crimea proper.
Is there any way for the Volga Goths to persist post Khazar? Any ideas? Could they maybe use the river to avoid capture, as transport, aswell as a source of food and meterials? Maybe They could become a trading community dominating the Volga and connecting waterways? This way they could also become valuable for dominant powers in the region be they Mongols, Tatars, Kazaks, Russians, etc.
However, if the Volga Goths become a semi-pastoralist culture like the Cossacks or Sarmatians, then a Gothic "chiefdom" may survive in some portion of the Pontic steppe as vassals of the new conquerors. From there they could carve out another sphere of influence and potentially settle down once again in a new area.
Any idea for how the "Gothic cossacks" might start?
Either way, the Goths might be able to migrate back west, into Rus', the Baltic region, or Hungary, possibly even joining the Magyars in their conquest of Pannonia.
Maybe they could migrate north, potentially avioiding the most dangerous part of the Eurasian plains/highway.
 
The Eurasian plains are a dangerous part of the planet. Slavers, warring tribes, hit and run, sabotage, armed migration.
And, sometimes, Mongols.

Is there any way for the Volga Goths to persist post Khazar? Any ideas? Could they maybe use the river to avoid capture, as transport, aswell as a source of food and meterials? Maybe They could become a trading community dominating the Volga and connecting waterways? This way they could also become valuable for dominant powers in the region be they Mongols, Tatars, Kazaks, Russians, etc.
I suppose the new conquerors could choose to keep the Goths around as a tax base, or as artisans, kind of like the Kezthely culture under the Avars.

Any idea for how the "Gothic cossacks" might start?
They might start doing pastoralism a small fraction of the year by learning it from the Khazars or other peoples (through some degree of intermarriage). Once the Goths are familiar with that way of life they could commit to it fully and settle steppe areas.

Maybe they could migrate north, potentially avioiding the most dangerous part of the Eurasian plains/highway.
That's possible but for the Goths to remain distinctive in Rus', Rus' would have to be non-Christian.
 
I suppose the new conquerors could choose to keep the Goths around as a tax base, or as artisans, kind of like the Kezthely culture under the Avars.
Interesting piece of history! (Kezthely culture)

I suppose since the Pontic steppe was sparsely populated then Goths assuming they had skills could be brought to do labor.
They might start doing pastoralism a small fraction of the year by learning it from the Khazars or other peoples (through some degree of intermarriage). Once the Goths are familiar with that way of life they could commit to it fully and settle steppe areas.
The lifestyle would probably evolve over time. One thing leads to another.
That's possible but for the Goths to remain distinctive in Rus', Rus' would have to be non-Christian.
Are you sure? Did not Bulgarians, Greeks, Croats, Hungarians and Romanians remain somewhat distinct even if they were all Christian?

Also, what if the Goths were Arian Christians?

What if the Goths practived a syncretic religion mixing Christianity with Gothic history and myths? Perhaps also Tengriism.
 
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