IRANO-TURCICA: THE KHAZAR SACRAL KINGSHIP REVISITED
General Material Designation
[Article]
First Statement of Responsibility
Peter B. Golden
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
The ruling house and core tribes of the Khazar empire did not share the same tribal or, in many instances, ethnic origins as those of the Qaǧanate's diverse subject population. The Khazar rulers were heirs of the Türk qaǧanal charisma. Although aspects of sacral rule and dual kingship can be seen in the Türk and other Inner Asian nomad-based empires, it was only in Khazaria that the Qaǧan became a sacralised, tabuised figure. This transformation occurred in the 9th century and may reflect the influence of the Ors, the Khwârazmian-Iranian guard of the Qaǧan and the chief minister drawn from their ranks.