The Khazar Khaganate: A Jewish Trading Empire

In this episode of Trade Routes That Changed Human History Forever, Lucas and Luna explore the Khazar Khaganate, a powerful empire that dominated the trade routes between Europe and Asia from the 7th to 10th centuries. We discuss how the Khazars, originally Turkic nomads, built a multi-ethnic, religiously tolerant state that became a crucial hub for the Silk Road and the fur and slave trades. The episode dives into the mystery of their conversion to Judaism, examining primary sources like the Schechter Letter and the Khazar Correspondence with Hasdai ibn Shaprut. We explore the political and economic reasons behind this unique choice, and consider the legacy of the Khazars in debates about Jewish identity. We also cover their capital, Atil, located on the Volga River delta, and their relationship with the Byzantine Empire, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Rus' Vikings. Join us for a fascinating look at a forgotten chapter in trade and religious history. #Khazars #KhazarKhaganate #Judaism #SilkRoad #Atil #VolgaRiver #HasdaiibnShaprut #SchechterLetter #KhazarCorrespondence #ByzantineEmpire #AbbasidCaliphate #Rus #SlaveTrade #FurTrade #TurkicNomads #MedievalHistory #TradeRoutes #FexingoHistory #HanDynasty #RomanEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo