Pre-Islamic Turkic History Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary list of Pre-Islamic Turkic history covering major culture circles, states, rulers, and social concepts.

Anav

The oldest culture of Central Asia, where initial cultural signs were first seen.

Afanesyova

The oldest culture circle belonging specifically to the Turks.

Andronova

The culture circle that spread over the widest geographic area.

Karasuk

The culture circle known for being the first to process iron.

Tagar

Considered the synthesis of Turkic culture; those living here are referred to as Altay.

Miğfer (Helmet)

The literal meaning of the word Turk in Chinese sources.

Olgunluk çağı (Age of Maturity)

The definition of the word Turk according to Kaşgarlı Mahmud.

Türemek (To Proliferate)

The definition of the word Turk according to Wambery.

Ziya Gökalp's Definition of Turk

Possessing law and order (Kanun nizam sahibi).

Turkic Homeland

Central Asia, specifically Turkistan and Ötüken.

Scythians (Iskitler)

The first known Turkic community, though they remained a community and did not become a formal state.

Jewelers of the Steppe

A title for the Scythians (Sakalar) due to their mastery in gold processing.

Scythian-Iranian Wars

The subject of the Alper Tunga epic belonging to the Scythians (Sakalar).

Tomris Hatun

A female ruler of the Scythians (Sakalar) who commanded an army called the Amazons.

Balbal

Tombstones for which the first historical examples were created by the Scythians (Sakalar).

Asian Hun State (Asya Hun Devleti)

The first organized Turkic state known in history.

Teoman

The first known ruler of the Asian Hun State.

Kadesh Agreement

The world's first treaty, signed between the Hittites and the Egyptians.

North Shansi (Kuzey Şansi)

The first written treaty in Turkic history, which put China under tax obligations.

Asian Hun State Identifiers

Known for the whistling arrow (Işıklı ok), the Silk Road, the Great Wall of China, the decimal system (10lu teşkilat), and Çiçi (independence).

Balamir

The founder of the European Hun State.

Attila

A Turkic warrior known as the 'Sword of God' and 'Sword of Ares'; called Ezel in German sagas.

Margos and Anatolia Treaties

Treaties by which Rome (Byzantium) accepted the superiority of the European Hun State.

Köktürk (1. Köktürk)

The first state established using the name 'Turk'.

Bumin Kağan

The founder of the Aşina dynasty (1st Köktürk).

European Hun State (Fate)

A state that dissolved among crowded European populations after accepting Christianity and losing their identity.

1st Köktürk (Territory)

The Turkistan state with the widest borders at the time Islam was born.

Mukan Kağan

The ruler during the brightest period of the 1st Köktürk state.

Kürşat (Chie-shih-shuai)

Leader of the legendary uprising by Turks living under Chinese captivity.

Kutluk Kağan

A ruler given the title 'İLTERİŞ' for re-founding the collapsed state, similar to Atatürk.

Orkhon Inscriptions (Orhun Abideleri)

The first written documents of Turkic history, located within the borders of Mongolia.

Yolluğ Tigin

The author of the Orkhon Inscriptions and the first Turkic litterateur.

Orkhon Inscriptions (Dedication)

Written for Kül Tigin, Vizier Tonyukuk, and Bilge Kağan.

Uyghurs (Uygurlar)

The state that ended the 2nd Köktürk state; also known as the Yağlakar dynasty.

Kutluk Bilge Kül Kağan

The founder of the Uyghurs.

Uyghur Transition

Adopted Maniheism, stopped eating meat, and moved to agriculture, which led to cultural growth but military decline.

Uyghur Innovations

The first to transition to settled life; introduced architecture (houses/palaces), paper, printing press, fresco (wall decoration), banking, and currency.

Manas Epic

The world's longest epic, belonging to the Kyrgyz (Kırgızlar).

Kyrgyz (Kırgızlar)

The state that destroyed the Uyghurs in 840 by attacking Ötüken; known for being the first to wash the dead.

Yenisei Inscriptions

The second most important inscriptions in Turkic history after the Orkhon Inscriptions.

Avars

The state that established states in both Asia and Europe after the Huns; first to besiege Istanbul and adopt Christianity.

Khazars (Hazarlar)

The first Turkic state to believe in Judaism (Musevilik) and polytheism; delayed the spread of Islam via the Battle of Belencer against Hz. Osman.

Pax Hazara

The religious tolerance characteristic of the Khazars.

Pechenegs (Peçenekler)

A community that served as mercenaries in the Byzantine army but switched to the Great Seljuk side during the Battle of Manzikert.

Türgişler

The second Turkic population to transition to settled life; they delayed the spread of Islam alongside the Khazars.

Karluklular

The first Turkic tribe to accept Islam.

Kurultay (Toy)

The place where the most important state problems are discussed.

Veraset System

The system where the country is the common property of the dynasty (males), ensuring the strong always take power.

Kut / Küç / Ülüş

Powers derived from Gök Tengri: Political (Kut), Physical/Strength (Küç), and Economic (Ülüş).

Kün

The term for 'People' in early Turkic society.

Dual Organization (İkili Teşkilatlanma)

Federative organization where the state is split into East and West.

Kök Türk Epics

Ergenekon and Bozkurt epics.

Asya Hun Epic

Oğuz Kağan epic.

Uyghur Epics

Türeyiş and Göç epics.

Kurgan

Grave.

Yuğ

Funeral ceremony.

Sagu

Lament (Ağıt).

Kam

Religious official.

Tamu / Uçmağ

Hell (Tamu) and Heaven (Uçmağ).

Huns (Legacy)

The first Turkic state to set an example for all subsequent Turkic tribes in both military and political organization.