Who were the Khazars?
Q: Who were the Khazars?
A: The Khazars were a semi-nomadic Turkic people who formed an empire called Khazaria in Russia from the 6th to 10th century CE.
Q: Where did the Khazars come from?
A: The Khazars came from the Western Turkic Khaganate of the Eurasian steppe, after it was conquered by Tang China.
Q: What was special about Khazaria?
A:Khazaria was an international trading center and an important place on the Silk Road that linked China, the Middle East, and Kievan Rus'. It also helped Byzantine defend itself from the Sasanian Persian empire.
Q: What religion did most of the ruling class practice?
A: Most of the ruling class may have practiced Tengrism, which was also popular among Huns and other Turkic peoples. Abrahamic religions were also popular.
Q: How did this alliance between Byzantine Empire and Khazaria end?
A:The alliance between Byzantine Empire and Khazaria ended around 900 when Kievan Rus replaced them in 965-969.
Q: Do some people think that Cossacks, Muslim Kumyks, Kazakhs, or Ashkenazi Jews descended from the Khazars?
A: Yes, some people think that Cossacks, Muslim Kumyks, Kazakhs or Ashkenazi Jews descended from the Khazars while others disagree with this opinion.
