This episode continues our survey of the region before the Rus with a look at the Bulgars, who will complete their migration into the central Volga region and establish Volga Bulgaria over this period.
Map of Bulgar migrations after the break up of Old Great Bulgaria.
The increase in trade, and therefore wealth, caused by Scandinavians opening the routes to the Muslim world and Byzantium will trigger the formation of Bulgaria as a major power in the region. By the early 900s, the Caliphate saw it as a potential ally against the Khazars and dispatched an embassy led by Ibn Fadlan to negotiate with them. The book he wrote describing his travels is a key historical source on the Khazars, Bulgars, and Rus.
The Bulgar Elteber greets Ibn Fadlan, by Bulat Gilvanov.
Ibn Fadlan describes the Bulgars as consisting of five tribes. The Chuvash, modern-day neighbours of Volga Tatars, are descended from one of them, the Suvars.
While the Bulgars were moving North, other peoples already in the central Volga region were moving south, which in turn encouraged Bulgars remaining in the steppe to move north into Volga Bulgaria.
The Magyars, ancestors of the Hungarians move south and west. The Pax Chazarica, 200 years in which the Khazars blocked any new invasions from the steppe, comes to an end as the Pechenegs move into the Pontic steppe.
Listen to Episode 1.21 - Before the Rus Part II - Bulgars, Chuvash, Pechenegs, Magyars - now on the website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Subscribe to the show on Patreon, Anchor for Spotify users, or Apple Podcasts for exclusive member content.