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Post by emerald on Jun 1, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -5
Picked up, "Ironclad" with James Purfoy and Paul Giamatti on DVD. What am I in for? I watched it a long time ago, I remember being annoyed by the camera shake in the action scenes, but the movie is solid 6; its dirty and bloody, and Purefoy is excellent, as always. Agreed. This is a good movie with a couple of great scenes. There's a bit where Purefoy busts out of concealment to ride to the assistance of his besieged friends that's as Howardian as hell. Also, one of the very few times you'll see a morning star mace put to use in a movie.
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Post by hun on Jun 1, 2024 18:29:25 GMT -5
I watched it a long time ago, I remember being annoyed by the camera shake in the action scenes, but the movie is solid 6; its dirty and bloody, and Purefoy is excellent, as always. Agreed. This is a good movie with a couple of great scenes. There's a bit where Purefoy busts out of concealment to ride to the assistance of his besieged friends that's as Howardian as hell. Also, one of the very few times you'll see a morning star mace put to use in a movie. Seen a couple of clips on YouTube, looks good. Also, found the full movie on YouTube: Ironclad 2011
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Post by kemp on Jun 1, 2024 19:34:41 GMT -5
Thinking on it, but not really sure how Knights defending Rochester Castle from the tyrant King John has anything to do with the warriors of the steppe, maybe this should be moved to another thread, or we can always create 'Warriors of the British Isles in movies, music and art' Having said that I watched this one years ago, very enjoyable, might watch it again so thanks for the link, especially the tie in to the Magna Carta which was about restoring the rights of the English lost after the Norman invasion, but that's another story for a different thread.
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Post by hun on Jun 1, 2024 23:37:26 GMT -5
...something a little more relevant to the Warriors of the Steppe: Keanu Reeves is Genghis Khan's Ultimate Weapon in BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B
SUMMARY
BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B takes fans back to the 13th century, giving a deeper look into B's life serving Genghis Khan. Boom Studios reunites Reeves, Kindt, and Garney for a brutal showdown between B and Genghis Khan. Historical realism adds depth to the brutal world of BRZRKR, making The Lost Book of B essential reading for fans.
Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR returns as Genghis Khan’s ultimate weapon in the new BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B. Reeves’ soon to be iconic character is one of the most exciting comic book debuts of the past decade, shattering sales records and defying expectations. Since its conclusion, publisher Boom Studios has released special books fleshing out the BRZRKR universe, and The Lost Book of B takes fans back to the 13th century.
Boom Studios unveiled more information about BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B on their website. The book will reunite the original BRZRKR creative team of Reeves, writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney. In the 13th century, B (the book’s hero) is in the employ of the notorious warlord Genghis Khan. One of Khan’s premiere soldiers, B has racked up numerous kills and victories. Yet now, B is beginning to question his loyalties, leading to a showdown of historical proportions. The book will feature a cover by Garney as well as variants by Bill Sienkiewicz and David Nakayama.
The Lost Book of B promises to be the bloodiest BRZRKR title yet. Genghis Khan was a real person, a bloodthirsty tyrant who ruled much of the known world. B was crucial to his success, but Lost Book of B looks at what happens when B questions Khan. Khan will no doubt be angry with B, which will lead to a showdown between them. Inserting historical figures into B’s story adds a layer of realism, and drives home just how long Keanu Reeves’ barbarian character has been alive. BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B will be essential reading for fans.
Source: Boom Studios
BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B is on sale August 21 from Boom Studios!
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Post by hun on Jun 16, 2024 7:12:23 GMT -5
Ancient DNA reveals the appearance of a 6th century Chinese emperor![](https://earimediaprodweb.azurewebsites.net/Api/v1/Multimedia/1dd2a9e3-54cc-4d5b-b09b-5a993c1945b1/Rendition/low-res/Content/Public) THE FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION OF EMPEROR WU WHO WAS ETHNICALLY XIANBEI What did an ancient Chinese emperor from 1,500 years ago look like? A team of researchers reconstructed the face of Chinese Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou using DNA extracted from his remains. The study, published March 28 in the journal Current Biology, suggests the emperor’s death at the age of 36 might be linked to a stroke. It also sheds light on the origin and migration patterns of a nomadic empire that once ruled parts of northeastern Asia.Emperor Wu was a ruler of the Northern Zhou dynasty in ancient China. Under his reign from AD 560 to AD 578, Emperor Wu built a strong military and unified the northern part of ancient China after defeating the Northern Qi dynasty.Emperor Wu was ethnically Xianbei, an ancient nomadic group that lived in what is today Mongolia and northern and northeastern China.“Some scholars said the Xianbei had ‘exotic’ looks, such as thick beard, high nose bridge, and yellow hair,” says Shaoqing Wen, one of the paper’s corresponding authors at Fudan University in Shanghai. “Our analysis shows Emperor Wu had typical East or Northeast Asian facial characteristics,” he adds.In 1996, archaeologists discovered Emperor Wu’s tomb in northwestern China, where they found his bones, including a nearly complete skull. With the development of ancient DNA research in recent years, Wen and his team managed to recover over 1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on his DNA, some of which contained information about the color of Emperor Wu’s skin and hair. Combined with Emperor Wu’s skull, the team reconstructed his face in 3D. The result shows Emperor Wu had brown eyes, black hair, and dark to intermediate skin, and his facial features were similar to those of present-day Northern and Eastern Asians.“Our work brought historical figures to life,” says Pianpian Wei, the paper’s co-corresponding author at Fudan University. “Previously, people had to rely on historical records or murals to picture what ancient people looked like. We are able to reveal the appearance of the Xianbei people directly.”Emperor Wu died at the age of 36, and his son also died at a young age with no clear reason. Some archaeologists say Emperor Wu died of illness, while others argue the emperor was poisoned by his rivals. By analyzing Emperor Wu’s DNA, researchers found that the emperor was at an increased risk for stroke, which might have contributed to his death. The finding aligns with historical records that described the emperor as having aphasia, drooping eyelids, and an abnormal gait—potential symptoms of a stroke.The genetic analysis shows the Xianbei people intermarried with ethnically Han Chinese when they migrated southward into northern China. “This is an important piece of information for understanding how ancient people spread in Eurasia and how they integrated with local people,” Wen says.Next, the team plans to study the people who lived in ancient Chang’an city in northwestern China by studying their ancient DNA. Chang’an was the capital city of many Chinese empires over thousands of years and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, an important Eurasian trade network from the second century BC until the 15th century. The researchers hope that the DNA analysis can reveal more information about how people migrated and exchanged cultures in ancient China.Source: www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1038341The emperor Wu's wife was the daughter of the 3rd Türk (Göktürk) Kaghan Muqan (553 – 572AD), her name was Empress Ashina. They recently found out that she is also of North East Asian (97,7%) ancestry:
Source: www.researchgate.net/publication/366965287_Ancient_Genome_of_Empress_Ashina_reveals_the_Northeast_Asian_origin_of_Gokturk_Khanate
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Post by hun on Jun 21, 2024 14:03:34 GMT -5
I'm pretty certain I posted this publication on this thread before, but can't seem to find it: Christopher I. Beckwith, The Scythian Empire: Central Eurasia and the Birth of the Classical Age from Persia to China, Princeton University Press, 2023DESCRIPTION:A rich, discovery-filled history that tells how a forgotten empire transformed the ancient worldIn the late 8th and early 7th centuries BCE, Scythian warriors conquered and unified most of the vast Eurasian continent, creating an innovative empire that would give birth to the age of philosophy and the Classical age across the ancient world―in the West, the Near East, India, and China. Mobile horse herders who lived with their cats in wheeled felt tents, the Scythians made stunning contributions to world civilization―from capital cities and strikingly elegant dress to political organization and the world-changing ideas of Buddha, Zoroaster, and Laotzu―Scythians all. In The Scythian Empire, Christopher I. Beckwith presents a major new history of a fascinating but often forgotten empire that changed the course of history.At its height, the Scythian Empire stretched west from Mongolia and ancient northeast China to northwest Iran and the Danube River, and in Central Asia reached as far south as the Arabian Sea. The Scythians also ruled Media and Chao, crucial frontier states of ancient Iran and China. By ruling over and marrying the local peoples, the Scythians created new cultures that were creole Scythian in their speech, dress, weaponry, and feudal socio-political structure. As they spread their language, ideas, and culture across the ancient world, the Scythians laid the foundations for the very first Persian, Indian, and Chinese empires.Filled with fresh discoveries, The Scythian Empire presents a remarkable new vision of a little-known but incredibly important empire and its peoples.Amazon Links: www.amazon.co.uk/Scythian-Empire-Central-Eurasia-Classical/dp/0691240531www.amazon.com/Scythian-Empire-Central-Eurasia-Classical/dp/0691240531
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Post by hun on Jun 23, 2024 2:44:58 GMT -5
Here's a review of Beckwith's Scythian book: Christopher Beckwith likes to shake up the staid world of archeologists, philologists and historians with big claims. In his Empires of the Silk Road, he argued the debt of world civilization to unfamiliar peoples from inner Asia, changing a Euro-centric or Sino-Centric approach to history into steppe-centricity. The Scythian Empire takes this one step forward by attributing many of the contributions from the steppe to a single people, the Scythians. In Beckwith’s telling, the Wusun, the Xiongnu, the Yuezhi, the Tokharians and the Soghdians are all Scythians, as are the Medes.This is a big, simplifying explanation, which, if widely accepted, would make the heretofore complicated history of Central Asia a lot more accessible. What is unsure is how many readers will be convinced by Beckwith’s arguments.The very title of the book is sure to provoke. The prevailing view of the Scythians (Masters of the Steppe, Pankova, Simpson, 2021) is that they did not organize themselves into a recognizable empire. The first people to have mastered mounted combat, the pastoralist Scythians migrated, during the first millennium BCE into the territories of settled peoples, including the Assyrians, the Chinese and the Mauryas in India. Acting as mercenaries, tribal auxiliaries and occasionally as warlords, they spread their culture from the Yellow River to the Danube, leaving behind in tumulus graves their characteristic three-bladed arrows, horse sacrifices, and magnificent gold jewelry, now the pride of museums like the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. Their intangible legacy included the adoption of cavalry by the major empires of Eurasia. Modern survivors of their original stock include the Ossetes in the northern Caucasus and probably the Pashtuns of the Hindu Kush.
Beckwith sees both the impact and the legacy of the Scythians on a far bigger scale. For him the Scythians are the founders of the Median and Persian empire, of the Zhao kingdom in China’s Warring States era, and ultimately the Qin dynasty of China’s first emperor. In his telling, the Scythian raiders in the Middle East are identical to the Medes who served as allies of the Assyrians and then supplanted them. Depictions of Medes and Scythians in Assyrian and Persian bas-reliefs indeed suggest a close affinity. Cyrus the Persian and Darius are both Medic-Scythians. Darius’s monotheism arises from steppe Tengrism (belief in a sky God), whose prophet Zoroaster writes in a language we call Avestan, but is actually Scythian. The boldness of these assertions takes one’s breath away, while at the same time providing explanations for many previously murky turns in Herodotus’s narrative of Persian history.
Turning to China, Beckwith is no less bold. King Zhao Wuding, who proclaimed the necessity of “dress like the barbarians and shooting from horseback (胡服骑射)”, is not a Han Chinese with a radical program of cultural appropriation, but rather a Scythian prince Sinicized by later Chinese historians. Zheng, the future Shi Huangdi, grew up as a hostage in the Zhao court, but he too is shown as a Scythian, which is why his cavalry ultimately prevailed to end the Warring States period and create the Chinese empire. Even the name for China itself, 華 (huá), reflects Scythian “Arya”, “noble”. The great steppe empire of the Xiongnu is also seen as a Scythian polity, with ethnic intermixtures of Turkic, Mongolic or Tungusic elements.
While many of Beckwith’s arguments are plausible, if not ultimately provable, he tests his readers’ acquiescence when he argues that the Buddha and Laozi were Scythians, together with Zoroaster and the Greek Anacharsis. All were noted figures in the great period of intellectual ferment between 500 and 100 BCE, dubbed the Axial Age by Karl Japers. The German philosopher could not account for the mysterious synchronicity of this ferment across Greece, India and China. Beckwith’s explanation is that the wide-ranging Scythians invented philosophy. This reviewer pumps for the explanation of Eric Havelock (Preface to Plato, Harvard, 1963), who argued that philosophy resulted from wide-spread literacy, itself the product of increasing exchange and social specialization. Did this happen as a result of the Scythian trading and empire building? That is entirely plausible.
Crucial to Beckwith’s sweeping narrative is the assumption that the Scythians maintained their identity over centuries and throughout their migrations. He claims that the Scythians conquered other nations and “creolized” them, without defining what this means. Other instances of migration and conquest suggest that identities can be fluid. The Russians are named for a Swedish tribe, the English and the French for German tribes. The steppe Magyars managed to impose their language in Hungary, the Turkic Bulgars adopted the Slavic language of their subjects. The Tatars of Russia started off as Shamanistic Mongolian-speakers and wound up as Muslim Turkish speakers. It is problematic to say that an ancient Persian or Zhao person identified as a Scythian.
Beckwith will have none of this. He argues that the tradition of divine kingship and the royal tribe, as defined by the Scythians, kept a hold on the peoples of the steppe, such that later successors of the Scythians, the Xiongnu, the Turks and even the Mongols, could only imagine having a ruler of the seed of the royal tribe (cf The Horde). Beckwith argues extensively for the persistence of this notion in the identity of many steppe dynasties, along with the associated term “Arya”, meaning noble.
Beckwith displays a mastery of philology and epigraphy across a number of languages, including old Chinese and old Tibetan, cuneiform inscriptions and Greek manuscripts. He insists on reexamining the interpretation of ancient texts, since the received translations may lead us astray. As an example, he points out that a scribal error in Herodotus had historians looking for the “Colaxai” people, when “Scolaxai” were intended, a dialect variant of the name Scythian. The edition conveniently replicates all the ancient text for students and scholars to make their own judgements.
The significance and persistence of the Scythians’ impact on history should not be underestimated. Their contribution to the founding of the first empires in the Middle East, India and China is hard to dispute. Did they actually rule over the Persian and the Chinese empires themselves? Beckwith’s readers will be torn between the attraction of his big, simplifying theory, and the stretch of imagination that full acceptance of his arguments require.Words by David Chaffetz Source: asianreviewofbooks.com/content/the-scythian-empire-central-eurasia-and-the-birth-of-the-classical-age-from-persia-to-china-by-christopher-i-beckwith/
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Post by hun on Jun 30, 2024 1:32:54 GMT -5
Another documentary from the Khan's Den Youtube channel, this time on the Karakhans of Central Asia:
The Karakhanids: First Turkic Muslim Empire
Description: This documentary explores the pivotal role of the Kara-Khanid Empire in shaping Central Asian and Islamic history. From the dominance of Turkic dynasties across the Eurasian Steppe to the rise of the Kara-Khanids, we trace the evolution of Turkic political power and cultural influence. The narrative begins with an overview of major Turkic empires, including the Xiongnu, Göktürks, Uyghurs, and Kyrgyz, highlighting the unique supremacy of the Göktürks.
We then examine the factors leading to the fragmentation of Turkic political unity and the subsequent emergence of diverse, independent Turkic states adopting various religious and cultural identities.
Central to our story is the formation of the Kara-Khanid Khaganate in 840 CE, born from the alliance of Karluk tribes. We delve into the significance of the Kara-Khanids' conversion to Islam, marking a crucial turning point in the integration of Turkic peoples into the broader Islamic world. The documentary covers key aspects of Kara-Khanid history, including:
- Origins and tribal composition - Territorial conquests and expansion - Economic systems and trade networks - Cultural and religious transformations - Long-lasting legacy and influence on subsequent Turkic-Islamic states
Through this exploration, we aim to illuminate the Kara-Khanids' critical role as a bridge between the nomadic Turkic traditions of the steppe and the settled Islamic civilization of the Middle East and Central Asia.
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Post by hun on Jul 3, 2024 22:42:17 GMT -5
Cool documentary with some great art (AI unfortunately) from the Khan's Den Youtube channel on the Rise of the Türks (Göktürks) of Mongolia. Cool...but can be a little Turko-centric at times, anyways pour yourself some fermented mare's milk and enjoy! The Celestial Turks: Origins, Culture and Rise of the Göktürk Dynasty
Description: In the middle of the 6th century, the fate of Eurasia was about to change forever. Two brothers, Bumin and Istemi, became leaders of the Turkic Ashina, a clan of semi-nomadic steppe warriors who resided at the Altai Mountains. Like the other tribes in the area, the Ashina were known to teach their children from a young age to ride horses and the use of bow and arrow. And like the others, they were also followers of Tengri, the almighty ruler of the sky, while abiding to the Töre, the ancient traditions which regulated society. Additionally, this clan had also specialized in blacksmithing. This was a society where religious tolerance was in place, where respect among family members was expected, where ancestry was deemed holy, and in which women could become as powerful as men. But the Ashina had been forged by subjugation, being vassals of the mighty Rouran Empire. Fueled by retribution against their exploitation, and by a vision to unite the fragmented Turkic tribes, Bumin and Istemi ignited a rebellion against the Rouran ruler, called Anagui. No longer would their people be pawns in the games of these Mongolic nobles. Now, the Turks would become the architects of their OWN destiny. This is the tale of the Ashina Clan, the crucible from which emerged the Göktürk Empire — a realm that would stretch its wings from Ukraine and the Caucasus to the borders of China and Korea. In doing so, Bumin and Istemi would liberate an entire culture from the shackles of subjugation, and shape the destiny of an entire continent. They would go down in history as "the Celestial Turks".
In the first episode of the eponymous documentary series, we are going to explore the mythical origins of the Ashina tribe, its lifestyle and societal order as well as the belief system of Tengrism, the prevailing religion of all Turkic peoples. Then, we are taking a look at the situation of the tribe among its larger neighbors, their exchange with the Chinese Wei Empire, the relations to the Turkic Tiele (Tegreg) federation as well as its standing within hierarchy of the Rouran. Lastly, we will try to understand how Bumin, the successor to the unlucky Tuwu, managed to defeat the Rouran, free his peoples from bondage and establish his own Empire in a matter of only five years. Here's Episode 2 of the Celestial Turks: Expansion of the Göktürk Empire | The Celestial Turks Episode 2
Description: In the second episode of the eponymous documentary series, we are going to explore the immediate aftermath of the foundation of the Göktürk Khaganate and take a look at the succession of rule after Bumin's death. Then, we will analyze how Bumin's brother Istemi and Bumin's sons Kara and Mukhan managed to expand the Turkic realm, doubling the Ashina Dynasty's territory within just a decade. As the Turks destroyed the Hephthalite Empire in the process, they also established cordial relations with the merchant-people of Sogdia who – in the name of the Turks – established diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Roman Empire in Europe. But this also brought the Turkic Khaganate into conflict with the mighty Sassanian dynasty in Persia. As Istemi tried navigating through this complex tapestry of diplomacy and economic espionage and sabotage, his nephew Mukhan invaded Chinese lands for the first time. The 550s and 560s spawned the golden era of Turkic history, but has for far too long been ignored or pushed aside in mainstream media and even academia.
The time has come to put an end to this and explain to you, finally, how and why the Göktürk Empire expanded into virtually all directions and how the Turks massively influenced the fate of the Eurasian Silk Road in the long run.
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Post by hun on Aug 25, 2024 0:39:12 GMT -5
Keanu Reeves is Genghis Khan's Ultimate Weapon in BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B
SUMMARY
BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B takes fans back to the 13th century, giving a deeper look into B's life serving Genghis Khan. Boom Studios reunites Reeves, Kindt, and Garney for a brutal showdown between B and Genghis Khan. Historical realism adds depth to the brutal world of BRZRKR, making The Lost Book of B essential reading for fans.
Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR returns as Genghis Khan’s ultimate weapon in the new BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B. Reeves’ soon to be iconic character is one of the most exciting comic book debuts of the past decade, shattering sales records and defying expectations. Since its conclusion, publisher Boom Studios has released special books fleshing out the BRZRKR universe, and The Lost Book of B takes fans back to the 13th century.
Boom Studios unveiled more information about BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B on their website. The book will reunite the original BRZRKR creative team of Reeves, writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney. In the 13th century, B (the book’s hero) is in the employ of the notorious warlord Genghis Khan. One of Khan’s premiere soldiers, B has racked up numerous kills and victories. Yet now, B is beginning to question his loyalties, leading to a showdown of historical proportions.The book will feature a cover by Garney as well as variants by Bill Sienkiewicz and David Nakayama.
The Lost Book of B promises to be the bloodiest BRZRKR title yet. Genghis Khan was a real person, a bloodthirsty tyrant who ruled much of the known world. B was crucial to his success, but Lost Book of B looks at what happens when B questions Khan. Khan will no doubt be angry with B, which will lead to a showdown between them. Inserting historical figures into B’s story adds a layer of realism, and drives home just how long Keanu Reeves’ barbarian character has been alive. BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B will be essential reading for fans.
Source: Boom Studios
BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B is on sale August 21 from Boom Studios! IN STORES THIS WEDNESDAY! Link to previewing variant covers: www.flickeringmyth.com/comic-book-preview-brzrkr-the-lost-book-of-b-1/
![](https://cdn.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BRZRKR-The-Lost-Book-of-B-1-7.jpg)
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