In the history of Khazaria there is one interesting and little known episode of the invasion of the Khazars in Romania. Khazar Khaganate, which existed from VII to X century, occupied vast territories in the south of Eastern Europe, including parts of modern Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. It was located at the crossroads of trade routes between Europe and Asia.
The Khazars interacted with various peoples, including Slavs, Bulgarians and other tribes that inhabited areas close to the modern borders of Romania. They were involved in various military conflicts, including with the Byzantine Empire, which also influenced the situation in the region, including territories that later became part of Romania.
Wallachia on a Dutch map from 1602. The photo is in the public domain.
The invasion of Romania by the Khazars took place in the 8th century. From historical documents it is known that armed bands of Khazars carried out an invasion from Southern Rus into Moldavia and Wallachia and occupied a dominant position in these countries. After that Judaism became the leading religion in Romania.
There is an archaeological site in the town of Celarevo in Serbia, where the burials of Khazar warriors were found. Also about the Khazar invasion of Romania and other regions of the Balkans is evidenced by the legend about the Jew-ispolin.
Some of the gold vessels of the V-VIII cc. Nagysentmiklosi hoard. Photo from free sources on the Internet.
On the territory of present-day Romania there are toponyms that are of Khazar origin. It is an interesting fact that in Romanian folk folklore the word judeu (Jew) meant «bogatyr». In Transylvania there are two villages Kozard and Kozarvar (Khazar Castle). In the 10th century, due to political upheavals, the Khazar Khaganate lost its control over Romania.
Runic signs of the Humarinsky settlement of the VIII-X centuries. Symbols of the Khazar Kaganate. The photo is public domain.
Nowadays in Romania lives a mysterious people subethnos Sekei. Researchers suggest that the roots of Sekei have a connection with the Khazars. A small number of Sekei also live in Serbia and Hungary.
Miniature from the Radziwill Chronicle, 15th century. Slavs paying tribute to the Khazars. The photo is in the public domain.
The Khazars played an important role in trade between East and West, and their influence may have affected cultural exchange with local peoples, including those inhabiting Romanian territories.