About

Dive into the vast and rich chronology of Turkic and Steppe history with Khan's Den. From the majestic nomadic empires like the Xiongnu and Huns that shaped Eurasian landscapes to the enduring cultural legacies of the Turks and Mongols that span centuries, join our journey through the heartlands of Central Asia and beyond. Explore the triumphs, struggles, and profound influences of Steppe peoples on global history – with a focus on the Turkic peoples – from ancient times to the End of the Middle Ages. And lastly, re-discover long-forgotten myths and legends that shaped the identities and legacies of these nomadic societies. From Mongolia to Ukraine, from Ötüken to Budapest, and from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Attila's speeches, let us dive into the enduring spirit of the Eurasian Steppe Belt.

All episodes are produced by Emre-E. Yavuz, founder and owner of the Khan's Den media channels and author of "The Göktürks: Origins, Religion and Rapid Rise of the First Turkic Empire" and "The Göktürks: Second Edition".

Khan's Den: Turkic and Steppe History episodes

VII: Empress Ashina - Turkic Princess and Chinese Empress

January 22, 2021•18 minutes

In this seventh episode of our series on the Rise of the Gok-Turks, we delve into Turkic history from 563 - 582 CE. Discover how Mukhan Khagan of the Gök-Türk Empire prepared for war against Northern Qi by collaborating with the Northern Zhou dynasty. Explore the strategic battles, alliances, and the historic marriage of a Turkic princess to Emperor Wen of the Zhou, who became Empress Ashina. Her role at the Zhou court and her impact on the Turk-Zhou alliance are also discussed. Listen now to uncover how a divine intervention changed the course of history, making her the first Turkic princess to become a Chinese Empress.

#Turkic history, #Gok-Turks, #Mukhan Khagan, #Northern Qi, #Zhou Dynasty, #Empress Ashina, #Chinese Empress, #Turk-Zhou alliance, #Tianyuan, #Pingyang, #Northern Dynasties, #Sui Dynasty, #Chinese history

Timeline

00:00:Introduction to Turkic history from 563 - 582 CE

02:45:Mukhan Khagan's preparations for war against Northern Qi

08:30:The strategic cities of Tianyuan and Pingyang

12:15:Northern Qi Emperor Wucheng's counterattack

17:50:Marriage proposal between the Turkic Khagan and Zhou Emperor

24:00:Mukhan Khagan's refusal and subsequent divine intervention

28:30:Turkic princess becomes Empress Ashina

34:10:Life and influence of Empress Ashina in Zhou court

40:55:The Sui Dynasty's rise and Empress Ashina's survival