From the Caspian to the Danube: Historical geography of the Turkish world (from the appearance of the Scythians to the XI. Century)

The vast geography stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Danube River holds great importance for Turkish and World History. This region has been an area of expansion and struggle among many Turkish and non-Turkish elements since 2000 BC, including Turkish states and communities that existed during this period. On the other hand, the major mass migration movements that we encounter in certain periods of history and which left deep traces for human history also progressed from the region known as the "Gate of Nations" in this area towards the North of the Black Sea. In general, our study examines the historical geography of the vast region from the Caspian Sea to the Danube River and the political histories of the Turkish societies that existed there. This thesis study addresses the presence, spread, and interaction of Turks with the vast geography extending from the Caspian Sea to the Danube River from a historical perspective, during the period from the Migration of Peoples to the fall of the Khazar State. The study examines the transition processes of Turks from nomadic lifestyle to settled life, their political and cultural structures, interactions with other societies, and the traces left by these interactions. In conclusion, this study, titled "The Historical Geography of the Turkic World from the Caspian Sea to the Danube (From the Scythian Perspective to the 11th Century)," aims to make a significant contribution to the research on Turkish history and culture by comprehensively examining the place and role of the Turks in the Eurasian geography from the Scythians to the end of the Khazar state.