Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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In this episode I am joined by geneticist Razib Khan as we dive into the genetic history and origins of the Magyars.
We begin by reflecting on what comes to our mind when we think of the Nomad Confederacy that terrorized Europe in the Early Middle Ages. We see a transformation as these Steppe "barbarians" become a part of the very heart of medieval Europe as they become Christianized.
But although they changed in many ways to become similar to their medieval Christian neighbors as Razib points out in an article titled "Hungarians as the ghost of the Magyar confederacy" they always remained European outsiders, as speakers of a language whose closest relatives are found in Siberia, a cultural mystery whose origins and affinity were only recently clarified by science.
We discuss historiography and the place that the Magyars have within history itself while also noting how our views have changed over time and why.
Lastly we see the birth of Modern Hungary, the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and the eventual fading away of the Magyars who chose to live and die by the sword.
What we learn as our guest points out is that the cultural legacy of the Magyars far outweighs their genetic impact and Hungary and the Hungarian people would not be the same today without the history and story of the Magyars.
Support Mr. Khan and his awesome work below!
Website: razib.substack.com
Razib Khan: razib.com/bio/wordpress
Twitter: twitter.com/razibkhan
SUPPORT the Barksdale Family and History Channel BELOW!
gofund.me/2c47ae01
In this episode I am joined by geneticist Razib Khan as we dive into the genetic history and origins of the Magyars.
We begin by reflecting on what comes to our mind when we think of the Nomad Confederacy that terrorized Europe in the Early Middle Ages. We see a transformation as these Steppe "barbarians" become a part of the very heart of medieval Europe as they become Christianized.
But although they changed in many ways to become similar to their medieval Christian neighbors as Razib points out in an article titled "Hungarians as the ghost of the Magyar confederacy" they always remained European outsiders, as speakers of a language whose closest relatives are found in Siberia, a cultural mystery whose origins and affinity were only recently clarified by science.
We discuss historiography and the place that the Magyars have within history itself while also noting how our views have changed over time and why.
Lastly we see the birth of Modern Hungary, the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and the eventual fading away of the Magyars who chose to live and die by the sword.
What we learn as our guest points out is that the cultural legacy of the Magyars far outweighs their genetic impact and Hungary and the Hungarian people would not be the same today without the history and story of the Magyars.
Support Mr. Khan and his awesome work below!
Website: razib.substack.com
Razib Khan: razib.com/bio/wordpress
Twitter: twitter.com/razibkhan
