Scythians, Sarmatians, or Massagetians: Josephos and others on wild invading Alans (first century CE)

Ancient authors: Josephos, Judean War 7.244-251 (link); Dio Cassius, Roman History 69.15 (via Xiphilinus summary). Comments: We know very little about a population around the Black Sea area that some Greek-speaking and Roman authors (beginning in the first century CE) labelled Alans (Alanoi / Alani). It s only in later antiquity that we hear significantly more, at least [ ]