Khazar Khaganate

The Khazar state (650-969) was a large medieval power. It was formed as a union of tribes in the southeast of Europe. The Khazar Kaganate was considered the most dangerous Jewish power in history. He controlled the territory of the Middle and Lower Volga region, the North Caucasus, the Azov Sea, the present northwestern part of Kazakhstan, the northern region of the Crimea, as well as the forest steppes and steppes of the whole Eastern Europe to the Dnieper.

The Khazar Khaganate. History

This tribal alliance emerged from the West Turkic Union. Originally, the core of the Khazar state was located in the northern region of present-day Dagestan. Subsequently, it moved (under the onslaught of the Arabs) to the lower reaches of the Volga. The political dominance of the Khazars spread at one time to some East Slavic tribes.

It should be noted that the origin of the people themselves is not fully understood. It is believed that after the adoption of Judaism, the Khazars perceived themselves as descendants of Kozar, who was the son of Togarmekh. According to the Bible, the latter was the son of Japhet.

According to some historians, the Khazar Khaganate has some connection with the lost Israeli tribes. Along with this, most researchers are inclined to believe that the nationality has all the same Turkic roots.

The rise of the Khazar people is associated with the development of the Türkic Kaganate, with the rulers of which the first (presumably) had family ties. In 552, the Altai Turks formed a huge empire. Soon it was divided into two parts.

By the second half of the 6th century, the Turks extended their power to the Caspian-Black Sea steppes. During the Iran-Byzantine War (602-628 gg.), The first evidence of the existence of the Khazars appeared. Then they were the main part of the army.

In 626 the Khazars invaded the territory of modern Azerbaijan. After plundering the Caucasian Alania and merging with the Byzantines, they took Tbilisi by storm.

By the end of the 7th century, most of the Crimea, the North Caucasus, and the Azov Sea were under Khazar control. There is no exact information about how far their power extended to the east of the Volga. However, it is certain that the Khazar Khaganate, spreading its influence, stopped the flow of nomads who had traveled to Europe from Asia. This, in turn, created favorable conditions for the development of settled Slavic peoples and Western European countries.

The Khazar Khaganate controlled the territory, which was inhabited by quite a lot of Jewish communities. Around 740, Bulan (one of the princes) converted to Judaism. Apparently, this contributed to the strengthening of his clan. At the same time, the ruling pagan dynasty of the Khazars began to lose credibility.

A descendant of Prince Bulan - Obadiah - in the early ninth century, he occupied the second post in the empire, concentrating real power in his hands. From that moment the system of dual state administration was formed. Nominally in the country remained the main representatives of the royal family, however, the real government on their behalf carried out the beaks of the Bulanids.

After the establishment of a new management order, the Khazar Kaganate began to develop international transit trade, reorienting itself from aggressive campaigns.

In the 9th century, in connection with the new wave of the Great Migration of Nations, the Volga began to migrate to new nomadic tribes.

The Old Russian state became a new enemy of the Khazars. Varangian squads, who came to Eastern Europe, began to successfully challenge power over the Slavs. Thus, the Radimichs in 885, the northerners in 884 and the meadow in 864 were liberated from Khazar rule.

In the period from the end of the 9th to the first half of the 10th century, Khazaria weakened, but continued to be a very influential empire. To a greater extent, this became possible thanks to skillful diplomacy and a well-trained army.

The decisive role in the death of the Khazar Khaganate belongs to the Old Russian state. Svyatoslav in 964 freed Vyatichi (the last dependent tribe). The following year, the prince defeated the army of the Khazars. A few years later (in 968-969), the prince defeated Semender and Itil (the capital of the Khazar empire in different periods). This moment is considered the official end of the independent Khazaria.