Atil

Itil or Ätil (, Big River ') was the historical capital of the kingdom of the Khazars from the middle of the 8th century to the end of the 10th century. The name derives from the Turkish name of the river Volga.

Itil was located in the Volga delta on the northeastern shore of the Caspian Sea. After the defeat of the Khazars in the second chasarisch - Arab war it became the capital of the empire. In Arabic sources of the ninth century, the city appears under the name Chamlidsch, the name Itil / Ätil appears in the 10th century. In its heyday, the city was an important trade center and consisted of three separated by the Volga districts. The western part was the administrative center of the city, including the court and the army garrison. The eastern part was built later and placed the trade center Itils dar. There were public baths, and shops. Between them, the island was in the were the palaces of the Khazar Khagans and the Beks. This island was connected to the others by a pontoon bridge. According to Arabic sources, one half of the city Ätil was called, the others are Chasaran.

Ätil / Itil was a multi- religious and polyethnic city, lived in the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and pagans Shamanists, including many traders from other countries. All religious groups possessed their own places of worship and the municipal court was occupied by religious proportional representation so that all religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, paganism / shamanism ) were represented and each defendant had the right to have his case considered by a judge of his own religion would.

In the year 968 or 969 conquered and destroyed the Kievan ruler Svyatoslav I. the city, the Khazars of the city fled to the island ahead Itil Bab al - Abwab in the Volga estuary. Ibn al - Hauqal and Muqaddasi mention the city, even after 969 yet, suggesting a possible reconstruction. Al -Biruni, however, reported in 1030 that the city lay in ruins. The Arab traveler Abu Hamid described but a year later the Khazars in the neighboring city of Itil Saqsin the Volga Delta. Maybe, but it was already at their petschenegische, ( ogh ) usische or Cuman successor.

Archaeological remains have never been found Itils. It has been speculated that this is due to a possible rise in sea level. Today is located near the historic town of the Russian city of Astrakhan.

  • Russian History
  • Jewish History
  • Astrakhan Oblast
  • Historical city
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