Khazars were known since the 6th century, especially its attacks on Georgia and Armenia.Russell them from the Volga to the Caucasus, on the territory of modern Russia and Ukraine.
From history textbooks know that the capital of the Khazars, built at the mouth of the Volga - Itil, which existed in the age 8-10.About her the written sources, for example, in the Arab-Persian literature on geographic research.
Historians still do not know which group to assign these tribes.In the basic version they believe Turks, although there are suggestions that they were Bulgars and Caucasians from the North Caucasus.Khazar Khanate is worthy of attention since the 10th century, he was able to subdue the Northern Black Sea Coast and a large area of the Crimea.With the existence of the Khazars closely connected with the history of Kievan Rus.
important place for the capital of the Khazar khanate was built at the mouth of the Volga - Itil.This article is dedicated to this city.
Location
town located at the mouth of the Volga River.He stood on the shore of the Caspian Sea, which is a very favorable geographical location.This allowed the city to become the commercial center of the Middle Ages.
exact location of historians and archaeologists have not been determined.This is due to the fact that the city was completely abandoned.Some scientists believe that the capital of the Khazars, built at the mouth of the Volga - Itil - located 15 kilometers from Astrakhan.Others suggest that the city was to the north (near modern Volgograd).
only known archaeologists Samosdelka mound is located in the Astrakhan region.It is being studied since 1990 and dates back to the age of 9-10.Many scientists believe it was his capital of the Khazars.There is a theory that the village was washed away by the Caspian Sea due to rising water levels.
What is the cause of prosperity
capital of the Khazar khanate was a major sea and river ports, as well as an important commercial center.It was connected with the favorable location of the city, through which the most important trade routes of the time.
main shopping areas in the Middle Ages:
- China-Europe. Europeans have always been interested in things from the East.One of the most important commodities for which they were willing to pay in gold, was silk.In addition to the port brought him spices, luxuries.In another way, this way is often called the Great Silk Road.
- Biarmia-Baghdad Caliphate. In this way silver traders exchanged for furs.
- «From the Vikings to the Khazars." This way opened for Khazar trading opportunities in Western Europe.The road passes through the city of Regensburg, Prague, Krakow, Kiev.
There is evidence on which it became known that Russian merchants down the Volga in Itil.
What does the name Itil
City located in the delta of the river, so it is not surprising that in Turkic his name means "river".There is a version translated from Hebrew by which name means "customs duty", which is really going to vessels.However, greater recognition is translated from the Turkic language.
is important to understand that the name Itil appeared in relation to the capital only in the 10th century.So foreigners began to talk of the town, although the Khazars used the entire settlement another name, but we know it was the name of a river or one of the parts of the city.
Structures capital
scientists were able to reconstruct the image of the city about.It is believed that it was composed of three parts located on both sides of the world.The western and eastern territories were separated by the Volga.Forwards between the two boats.
the west of the river was a king with approximate and army.That is the great part of the settlement, and called (to the west of the Volga River) Atil.It lived from 10 to 16 thousand people.The western part was separated from the settlement of the fortress wall, which was four outputs in the form of the gate.Two of them went to the port, and the other two - the steppe.
eastern part of the city was a commercial center located in its markets, warehouses, baths.
between them (presumably on the island) has the third part of the palaces for the rulers.They were made of brick.Ordinary citizens are not allowed to build of this material, so their homes were felt yurts, wooden tents.Some people lived in dugouts.
population of the city
capital of the Khazar khanate differed quite a diverse population.Here peacefully coexist Christians, pagans, Muslims, Jews.The Muslim community was composed of merchants, artisans, the royal guard.Jewish - from merchants, residents who fled from persecution in Byzantium.Pagans were mostly Slavs.
All disputes between the people decide the judge who oversaw the special officer of the king.For Jews, Christians and Muslims were two judges to the Gentiles - one.
capital of the Khazars, built at the mouth of the Volga - Itil - lodging assumed only in the winter.From April to November, residents place on their ancestral plots of land, and the poor work of the field.Around the city housed the village and arable land, from which the crop is delivered to the Itil by land and water.
destroy the city
destroyed the capital of the Khazars (Itil) was in the second half of the 10th century.This event is associated with the Kievan Rus Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich.The population escaped from the capture of the city, was able to take refuge on the islands in the delta.
the beginning of the 11th century Rus left the capital, and it was able to return the Khazar royal court.However, the city is, in the words of al-Biruni, the ruins.Further its history is unknown.
