The Xiongu Empire?

[Easy E]

A very interesting podcast about a steppe empire i was unfamiliar with.....

https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/blogs/ancient-history-blog/ancient-history-podcast-the-xiongnu-empire?utm_source=pushowl&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=3011753&pn_source=campaign&pn_source_id=3011753&subscriber_id=298103486

Mostly, the history is from a Chinese perspective for a Central Asian steppe empire that was apparently nomadic?  I was not very well versed on this topic, so I found it very interesting.

[Hobgoblin]

Will give that a listen - thanks!

The debate about whether the Xiongnu are connected to the Huns has swung back and forth since the 18th century; I think the current consensus is that there was some connection (genetic links and a bit of material culture, plus the fact that some Sogdian chronicler uses the name of one of the groups to describe the other, IIRC).

But, of course, when you've got lots of nomadic groups wandering across the Steppes and joining up into temporary confederations, it would be odd if there weren't some genetic links between members of large Steppe empires a few hundred years apart.

[Easy E]

That comes up a bit in the listen as well. I will avoid spoilers.....