Creating a steppe empire is not easy, but ruling it is especially difficult. To keep all the semi-nomadic tribes under your banner, you will want to posess both military prowess as well as decent economic supply. As the Göktürks expanded into the west of Asia and even into Europe, their semi-nomadic economy evolved due to the addition of control over the legendary Silk Road. This, in turn, led to significant diplomatic missions to Byzantium and a large-scale conflict against the Sassanian Persians which would last half a century.

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