Sarkel (or Şarkil; Turkic for "White Fortress") was a large limestone-and-brick fortress built by the Khazars with Byzantine assistance in the 830s. Sarkel was built to protect their state's northern border from the Varangians known as the Rus, as well as from nomadic marauders from the east. The site of the Khazar fortress at Sarkel. ... Byzantine Empire (Greek: Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων) is the term conventionally used since the 19th century to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... Centuries: 8th century - 9th century - 10th century Decades: 780s - 790s - 800s - 810s - 820s - 830s - 840s - 850s - 860s - 870s - 880s Years: 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 Events: The first Swedes arrive in Russia. ... The Varangians (Russian: Variags, Варяги) were Scandinavians who travelled eastwards, mainly from Jutland and Sweden. ... The origins of the Rus (Rus , Русь) are controversial. ...

The site of the Khazar fortress at Sarkel. Aerial photo from excavations conducted by Mikhail Artamonov in the 1930's.

Sarkel was located on the left bank of the lower Don River, in present-day Rostov Oblast of Russia. The city served as a bustling commercial center. Caravans from many lands arrived in Sarkel. A garrison fortified at Sarkel included Oghuz and Pecheneg mercenaries. Khazar fortress at Sarkel (Belaya Vyezha, Russia). ... Khazar fortress at Sarkel (Belaya Vyezha, Russia). ... The site of the Khazar fortress of Sarkel, which was discovered and excavated by Artamonov in the 1930s. ... The Don (Дон) is one of the major rivers of Russia. ... Rostov Oblast (Russian: ) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located in Southern Federal District. ... For all Turkic groupings and Turkic history, see Turkic peoples. ... The Pechenegs or Patzinaks (in Hungarian: Besenyők, Russian: Печенеги, Ukrainian: Печеніги ) were a semi-nomadic people of the Central Asian steppes speaking a Turkic language. ...

Sarkel's fortress and city were captured by the Kievan Rus' prince Sviatoslav I in 965. The city was renamed as Belaya Vezha (Slavic for "White Tower") and settled by Slavs until the 12th century, when the district was taken over by the Kipchaks. Map of the the extent of Kievan Rus through the 11th century. ... Sviatoslav I, Prince of Kiev (c. ... Events March 1 - Pope Benedict V is put in place of Pope Leo VIII by the people October 1 - John XIII becomes Pope The Khazar fortress of Sarkel falls to the Kievan Rus Births Sweyn I of Denmark Deaths February 22 - Odo, Duke of Burgundy July 4 - Pope Benedict V... Kipchaks (also Kypchaks, Qipchaqs) are an ancient Turkic people, first mentioned in the historical chronicles of Central Asia in the 1st millennium BC. Their language was also known as Kipchak. ...

In recent times archaeological excavations found that Byzantine columns were used in the construction of Sarkel. The site is now submerged by the Tsimlyansk Reservoir, so no further excavations may be conducted. Tsimlyansk Reservoir from space, October 1994 The Tsimlyansk Reservoir is located on the Don River (47°50′N 42°50′E). ...

Reference

• Douglas M. Dunlop, The History of the Jewish Khazars, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1954.
• Kevin Alan Brook, The Jews of Khazaria, 1st ed., Northvale, N.J.: Jason Aronson, 1999
• Koestler, Arthur. The Thirteenth Tribe
• Sarkel on Khazaria.com

Kevin Alan Brook is the foremost lay authority on the Khazars in the United States of America. ... Arthur Koestler Arthur Koestler (September 5, 1905, Budapest – March 3, 1983, London) was a Hungarian polymath who became a naturalized British subject. ...

See also

• Atil
• Tmutarakan