Khan's Den episodes
Episode 2: Expansion of the Göktürk Empire - The Celestial Turks

Episode 2: Expansion of the Göktürk Empire - The Celestial Turks

In this episode of 'The Celestial Turks,' we delve into the Göktürk Khaganate's rapid expansion. Examine the succession of rule after Bumin's death and how his brother Istemi, along with Bumin's sons Kara and Mukhan, doubled its territory. Discover the Göktürks' role in destroying the Hephthalite Empire, fostering relations with Sogdia, and establishing ties with the Byzantine Roman Empire, all while navigating conflicts with the Sassanian dynasty and making their first moves into Chinese lands. Uncover the often-overlooked golden era of Turkic history during the 550s and 560s and their lasting impact on the Eurasian Silk Road.

#Göktürk Empire, #Celestial Turks, #Bumin, #Istemi, #Kara, #Mukhan, #Ashina Dynasty, #Hephthalite Empire, #Sogdia, #Byzantine Roman Empire, #Sassanian Dynasty, #Eurasian Silk Road, #Turkic history, #Kyrgyz, #Khitan, #China, #Rouran, #Hun Empire, #Empress Ashina, #Turko-Roman Alliance


Timeline

00:00:What happened so far

01:48:Bumin’s Death and Succession of the Khaganate

04:46:Annihilation of the Rouran

08:31:First Contact with Korea

10:23:Istemi’s Journey: Defeating the Last Hun Empire

14:28:Empress Ashina and Göktürk DNA

17:41:Mukhan’s Quest: Kyrgyz, Khitan and Attack on China

20:23:The Sogdian-Turkic Synthesis and Persian Barriers

24:09:Istemi and Justin: Establishing the Turko-Roman Alliance