The Khazars

A Judeo-Turkish Empire on the Steppes, 7th–11th Centuries AD

The Khazars cover

Description

Fully illustrated with detailed color plates, this is a fascinating study into the armies, organization, armor, weapons, and fortifications of the Khazars.

The Khazars were one of the most important Turkic peoples in European history, dominating vast areas of southeastern Europe and the western reaches of the Central Asian steppes from the 4th to the 11th centuries AD. They were also unique in that their aristocratic and military elites converted to Judaism, creating what would be territorially the largest Jewish-ruled state in world history. They became significant allies of the Byzantine Empire, blocking the advance of Islam north of the Caucasus Mountains for several hundred years.

They also achieved a remarkable level of metal-working technology, and their military elite wore forms of iron plate armor that would not be seen in Western Europe until the 14th century. The Khazar state provided the foundations upon which medieval Russia and modern Ukraine were built.

Table of Contents

Introduction – the Khazars in the history of Eastern Europe * Chronology of major events * Khazar campaigns: Wars with the Muslim Arabs – Wars with Kievan Russia – Khazars and Magyars: the emergence of the Hungarians * Arms and armour: spears and javelins – battleaxes – swords and sabres – helmets – armour * Fortresses: stone fortifications – timber fortifications * Further reading * Plate commentaries

Product details

Published Jan 22 2019
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472830135
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Men-at-Arms
Short code MAA 522
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Mikhail Zhirohov

MIKHAIL ZHIROHOV was born in eastern Ukraine, in 1…

Author

David Nicolle

David Nicolle is Visiting Research Fellow at the I…

Illustrator

Christa Hook

CHRISTA HOOK began her illustrating career in 1986…

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