The Khazars: Turkic-Jewish Rulers of Ukraine and Beyond

The Khazar Empire was one of history's most captivating yet lesser-known states of the Middle Ages. These Turkic warriors built a vast trading empire between Europe and Asia, but what made them truly unique was their conversion to Judaism.
From their origins as Tengrist steppe nomads and part of the legendary Göktürk Khaganate to their emergence as a sophisticated trading power in Ukraine and the Caucasus and from their religious transformation to their lasting impact on Eastern European Jewry this is their controversial yet undeniably important and compelling story — one that will reshape our understanding of the medieval world and, indeed, that of Turkic and nomadic steppe history.

In this 60-minute remade documentary by Khan's Den, you will explore:
The rise of the Khazar Empire from Turkic origins
Their crucial role in medieval trade networks
The conversion of their elite from Tengrism to Judaism
Their wars with Arabs, Byzantines, and other Turkic peoples
Their eventual defeat by the Kievan Rus' and Oghuz Turks
The Khazar Hypothesis about Ashkenazi Jewish conversion
Their lasting legacy

➤ Timeline: 7th - 11th centuries AD
➤ Location: From the Caucasus to Kiev, from the Caspian Sea to the Ukrainian steppes
➤ Controversies: Many.

First episode of Khan's Den Season 5: "Turkic and Steppe Empires"
Previous episode: Volga Bulgaria
Next episode: Cuman-Kipchak Empire

📖 Research by Emre-E. Yavuz
🎞️ Produced by Emre-E. Yavuz
🔊 Narrated by the voice of Bill L. Oxley powered by ElevenLabs
🎵 Original soundtrack by Emre-E. Yavuz, created with Udio

00:00-02:00 Lifting the Veil on the Khazars
02:01-08:03 Mysterious Origins in Central Asia
08:04-16:22 Khazar Political System, Society and Military
16:23-22:18 Expanding the Khaganate
22:19-28:03 Khazar-Arab Wars
28:04-40:00 Religious Conversion from Tengrism to Judaism
40:01-42:50 The Khazar-Byzantine Connection
42:51-45:51 Why and how did the Khazars Fall?
45:52-55:18 Khazar Remains and the Jewish-Khazar Hypothesis
55:19-01:02:20 Conclusion: Khazar Legacy

[KhansDen]

This 60-minute historical extravaganza marks my return to making video documentaries with a bang. It is the longest video since my Göktürk "movie" in July 2021, it might be the best to date – and the most controversial. I tried to balance all narratives as best as doable. Unlike the original shorter documentary from last year, though, I took a diverse approach. Last time, many viewers gave feedback and faulted the one-sidedness of the narrative. Back then, I was more dependent on the researcher I interviewed about the Khazars. This time, I worked fully independently from anyone, as I usually do. This video is the result.
But as Khan's Den enters its 5th year in existence, this would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our fellow members and supporters here on YouTube and on Patreon, as well as many loyal long-time fans. Thank you all.

The Khazar video is just the start of a new phase of Khan's Den, as there are more projects I worked on simultaneously and want to tell you about.

The next video, about the Kipchaks, is already well in the works and will be published on 25 December. My new book "Empire of the Göktürks" is also on the horizon to be released on 19 December. With over 300 pages, dozens of illustrations and maps and a fully translated version of the Orkhon Inscriptions with commentary, it is the definitive book about the rise and legacy of the First Turkic Khaganate. On the same day, my very first music album (yes, I make those too now) "Bumin's Destiny" will also go public on the Khan's Den Bandcamp page. It includes 29 tracks and a bonus track, and is the actual Original Soundtrack of a 90-minute video documentary about the First Göktürk Empire in early 2025. And lastly, in-between, you will be able watch a completely remade documentary about the Turkic religion/lifestyle of Tengrism on 03 January 2025, right here on my YouTube channel.

I want to give a last special thank-you to Bill L. Oxley, who is a real (!) voice actor from the United States who I got into contact with. The narrator's voice in this video is his, modulated with the help of AI technology. Many of the images in the video were also made with AI-assistance. Most of the time, however, you won't notice. Because after years of training and technological advancement, I have reached a level of quality that will succeed actual drawings and paintings soon. If there were 1 or 2 artists on my team who could do the same, I would refrain from using AI at all. But as it stands, with all the support I receive from you – the fans and supporters – Khan's Den is still a one-man show.

[QabilAGhor]

This is truly the most comprehensive video on the subject that I have seen.

[Coffee]

Today, we have: Zelensky, 'ruler' of Ukraine, Netnyahu, 'ruler of Israel', and Blinken, 'ruler' of US foreign policy - all desperately trying to start WW3! What was that about ...Rulers of Ukraine and Beyond?

[ChristopherAnderson-eo]

victoria nuland of the US state department who masterminded the 2014 euromaidan coup in ukraine is one of these

[BLANCUSO]

The House of Saudi was founded by a Khazar who had converted to Judaism, them moved to Saudi Arabia, married a Muslim woman, and converted to Islam.
Gog and Magog, from Anatolia(TURKEY), Khazars(ASKHENAZI JEWS) and Turks have infiltrated Judaism, Christianity and Islam and today we see the fruits of their labour.
An unholy alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel where Syria, Lebanon and Iran who had peaceful and tolerant relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims is baring the brunt of their united proxy armies known as al Qaeda, al Nusra, I.S.I.S etc...

[KatariaGujjar]

According to the Torah, Ashkenaz is not Semitic because he is son of Japheth, not Shem. Only descendants of Shem are called Semites.

Moses is a descendant of Shem. Jacob (Israel) is a descendant of Shem. Descendants of Jacob are called Israelites.

One of the descendants of Jacob is Judah who founded the Kingdom of Judah. Residents of this kingdom were called Jews.

In other words, Ashkenaz is neither Semitic, nor Israelite, nor Jewish.

[mavimasamivam]

1. They adopted judaism as a state religion for a while, but genetically culturally historically they are not israelites, not sons of the ancient israel tribes.
2.Turkish speaking asian nomad tribes and clans were part of this khazar empire, sometimes they acted as rulers, but not always.
Saying khazars are only turkic tribes and clans and claiming them as being jews is not historically correct.

[paulhudgeon]

If you'd like a more in-depth account of Khazarian integration into Jewish culture then the book, The Thirteenth Tribe, is a good read, and is available as an audio book.
If you'd like a more in-depth (and firsthand) account of the rule of emperor Justinian and his wife, Theodora (mentioned in this video), then try the book, The Secret History, by Procopius. This firsthand account is a very interesting read, and reads like a season of Game Of Thrones. It is also available in audiobook.

[fuerstinhun]

This makes so much more sense than the official narratives I've known before. It also means I have lots of work cut out for me. Thank you so very much, Emre. I can’t wait to get your second book into my hands!!!

[Manuel-kpkp]

I’m from Italy, i’ve been researching about Khazar Empire, and i found so many different versions about these guys.
This one is the most complete and includes parts of others reconstructions, finding this one the most “make sense one”.
The middle age, is called in Italy, THE Dark Age, because is the most unknown and hidden part of history.
What is a sure fact, is that they escaped from the russian and they moved inside Europe.
About their religion and the way they mixed Bible with esotheric doctrins there are many points of view.
To have bad thought about these turkish(i knew that the blond and blue eyes were vikings coming down from everywhere, west, center and east Europe and the vikings were really wild, and some of the east Europe flow joined the khazarian that were wild too) is that the dark age history deseappeared and this Empire was the one in power, so it’s not crazy to suppose that they manipulated and borrowed those centuries.
At the end of this documentary, there is the jew researcher of 2012 that says that ashkeNAZI were from the caucasian tribes but not khazarian makes me smile, because is the only one that gives this version, while the khazarian flow in Europe is documented and obvious.
About the Bible, a man working for the Vatican as a traductor of old and new testament from aramaic, greek and hebrow to italian, after a couple of decades become critical about the way the vatican changed the traductions to print the official bibles.
He tells all is written on those documents in his youtube channel, what he says is in italian, spanish, portuguise and english.
His name is Mauro Biglino, wrote many books and says that the bible is a war story book, and that has been hackered in many parts, especially the profecies, even apocalips and the promised land.
In Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche(everyone blond and blue eyes) there is the ex nazi village, with guided tours, even Adolf house(look for in wiki, Safari and other research engine).
I’ve been there, looks like Switzerland 🇨🇭 and is the Israel 🇮🇱 vacation place.
I couldn’t believe what i saw and asked to locals(nice and helpfull), but as soon i asked this topic they become nervous and tell me by by…
A guy selling souvenirs outside the nazi village had just ancient nazi stuff and jews stuff 😳
He was in his 60 and not blond and very eclectic.
When i asked about the weird mix of his stuff, i said: “they are here to piss and spit on Adolf house?”
He smiled like i was a little kid and answered me : “don’t you know that they are the same thing but changed name?
😱
They go there to pay homage to their master, is their pilgrimage, after 3 years of mandatory army training(men and women 18 yo) the 🇮🇱 government give a free 3 weeks vacation in Bariloche).
I was there, i lived in Argentina 5 years, you can search all i said, you’ll find it.
AshkeNAZI populate Israel and they decimated the real jews for centuries and the few in life don’t act as jews but do 30 seconds protests in big capitals in the world with cartels with the words: IT’s not jewish living in Israel, and soon deseappear/escape.
I hope i’m helping with the puzzle of the dark age 😬

[oftbanned]

Victoria Nuland's maidan name was Kagan.. with Ukrainian ancestry: now you know why she led the Maidan coup!

[Ruby-K]

They've been in the Ukraine for ages

[laureld.]

...and eventually hijacked the Hebrew identity. This goes so deep into The Rabbit Holes OF rabbit holes

[janetmontgomery-rj]

Very very interesting... Fills in lots of gaps in history by showing the interconnections over time and the relationships in politics rconics etc. Thank you for your work.

[IM-]

these are converted jews. The religion of the Turks was tengrism, because they were open to other peoples and religions, some converted to judaism, christianity or Islam. No matter who if they habe turks on the side, they usually win

[ReyMy-dxku]

There where still askenzai living in Istanbul in the 1900 . They all had white skin . They are khazars, now scattered in high places that love war. Even the man with the little lip mustache was from around here . His great grandfather.

[rohinajohnston]

What an interesting history which in serious History we learn, we are not taught any of this history .Thank you. I was told once that the Khazars were Jews, so European Jews, do come from East Europe or the land of the Khazars, so they are not Sematic and keep on about being anti Semetic ..Thank you..

[ZosiaPawlowski]

The ancestors of the Khazars are the Huns

[precursors]

Caspian Sea is called Khazar Sea in all Turkic languages

[rumsiker]

Thank you all for the hard work to gather and videoing this priceless documentary