What is Alp Er Tunga?

Question

I've read that Alp Er Tunga is a mythical hero in Turkic tradition; the Göktürks of the sixth century carried on the tradition of Alp Er Tunga and they too had a myth according to which they themselves were descendants of a wolf, .....do you know more about this?

Answer 1

Wow, this was a hard one, but it was some interesting research.....Alp Er Tunga has many names in Persian mythology and many conflicting and fragmented stories. Here is what i have put together:



In the Divan ul-Lughat at-Turk (Turkic dictionary) of Mahmud of Kashgar, Alp Er Tunga, is identified with the character Afrasiab in Persian literature, a descendant of the character named Tur in the Persian epic Shahnameh.



According to Shahnameh ('Book of Kings') by the Persian epic-poet Ferdowsi, Afrasiab (Alp Er Tunga) was the mythical King and hero of Turan and an archenemy of Iran. In Iranian mythology, Alp Er Tunga is considered by far the most prominent of all mythical Turanian Kings; he is a formidable warrior, a skilful general, and an agent of Ahriman who is endowed with magical powers of deception to destroy the Iranian civilization.



According to Middle-Persian and Islamic sources, Alp Er Tunga was a descendant of Tūr (Avestan: Tūriya-), one of the three sons of the Iranian mythical King Fereydun (the other two sons being Salm and Īraj). In Bundahishn he is named as the seventh grandson of Tūr. In Avestan traditions, his common epithet mairya- (deceitful, villainous) can be interpreted as meaning 'an evil man'. He lived in a subterranean fortress made of metal, called Hanakana.



According to Avestan sources, Alp Er Tunga was killed by Haoma near the Čīčhast (possibly either referring to Urmia Lake in Azarbaijan, or Lake Hamun in Sistan) and according to Shahnameh he met his death in a cave known as the Hang-e Afrasiab, or the dying place of Alp Er Tunga, on a mountaintop in Azerbaijan; the fugitive Afrasiab having been repeatedly defeated by the armies of his adversary, the mythical King of Iran Kay Khosrow (who happened to be his own grandson, through his daughter Farangis), wandered wretchedly and fearfully around, and eventually took refuge in this cave and died.

Answer 2

Alp Er Tunga is a myth belonging to the period of the Saka. Alp Er Tunga is a Saka ruler who lived in the 8th century BC and who was liked a lot. Alp Er Tunga united and ruled over all the Turkishclans in Middle East and then conquered Anatolia, Syria and Egypt passing over theCaucasians and founded the Saka state. Alp Er Tunga's life passed full of wars. He was killed by trick during a feast of Keyhusrev, the ruler of the Iranian Meds, with whom he had fought for years. The memories of these fights between Alp Er Tunga and the rulers of the Iranian Meds have been recalled among both the Turks and the Iranians. Alp Er Tunga is called Maduva in Asyrian sources and Madyes by Herodotus.



I hope this helps you.



Regards,

Warren

Answer 3

The Wolf symbolizes honour and is also considered the father of most Turkic peoples. Asena (Ashina Tuwu) is the wolf mother of Bumen, the first Khan of the Göktürks.



The Horse is also one of the main figures of Turkic mythology; Turks considered the horse an extension of the individual -though generally dedicated to the male- and see that one is complete with it. This might have led to or sourced from the term "At-Beyi" (Horse-Lord).



The Dragon, also expressed as a Snake or Lizard, is the symbol of might and power. It is believed, especially in mountainous Central Asia, that dragons still live in the mountains of Tian Shan/Tengri Tagh and Altay. Dragons also symbolize the god Tengri (Tanrı) in ancient Turkic tradition, although dragons themselves are not worshipped as gods.



The legend of Timur (Temir) is the most ancient and well-known. Timur found a strange stone that fell from the sky (an iron ore meteorite), making the first iron sword from it. Today, the word "temir" or "timur" means "iron".



Turkic mythology was influenced by other local mythologies. For example, in Tatar mythology elements of Finnic and Indo-European myth co-exist. Subjects from Tatar mythology include Äbädä, Şüräle, Şekä, Pitsen, Tulpar, and Zilant.