Epic of Alp Er Tunga

Alp Er Tunga is one of the earliest heroes of the Turks. He has been the central figure in stories told for thousands of years, both as a historical ruler and a legendary character. The epic that recounts his life and adventures addresses themes such as courage, leadership, and love of homeland. This epic provides us with vital insights into the lives and values of our ancestors.

The story of Alp Er Tunga is not only the story of one man but also the story of a nation. His name is remembered in the Turkish world as a symbol of bravery and wisdom. Let us together explore the world of this great hero and discover why he is so significant.

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The Epic of Alp Er Tunga primarily recounts the prolonged struggles between Turan, the Turkish homeland, and Iran. Alp Er Tunga is the brave and just ruler of Turan. In the epic, his wars against the Iranians, his victories, and his heroic acts in defending his people are central themes.

However, the epic is not solely about warfare. It also explores themes such as friendship, betrayal, and sacrifice. Alp Er Tunga is lured into a trap and killed by treachery from Keyhüsrev, the Iranian ruler and his greatest enemy. His tragic death was met with profound grief by his people, who composed elegies in his honor.

Let us travel back in time! Alp Er Tunga is believed to have lived approximately 2700 years ago, in the 7th century BCE. At that time, a warrior Turkic state known as the Saka (also called Scythians) ruled Central Asia. Alp Er Tunga was the most renowned and powerful ruler of this state.

The Saka were a people who domesticated the horse and were master riders. Thanks to these skills, they governed vast territories. The story of Alp Er Tunga carries the imprint of this era. Under his leadership, the Saka frequently clashed with their neighbors, the Iranians. These conflicts left such deep marks in the collective memory of both the Turks and the Iranians that each nation has preserved them in their own epics.

Did you know that Alp Er Tunga is also known in Iranian tradition? In Iran’s famous epic, the Shahnameh, Alp Er Tunga is referred to as Afrasiyab. The Shahnameh portrays him as Iran’s greatest and most feared enemy. This demonstrates just how significant and powerful a leader Alp Er Tunga was.

In the Shahnameh, Afrasiyab—that is, Alp Er Tunga—is depicted as a powerful and invincible commander. The wars fought against him form the most thrilling episodes of the epic. The fact that the same figure appears in the epics of two different nations reveals how historically influential he was.

The death of Alp Er Tunga so deeply saddened his people that they composed elegies known as “sagu” in his memory. One such elegy was recorded around 1000 years ago by Kaşgarlı Mahmud in his work titled “Divânu Lugâti’t-Türk.” This work is regarded as the first dictionary of the Turkish language and contains invaluable information about ancient Turkish culture.

The sagu composed for Alp Er Tunga begins with these famous lines, expressing the grief over his death and the enduring memory of his heroism:

“Did Alp Er Tunga die?

Is the barren land left desolate?

Has time taken its revenge for him?

Now the heart is torn apart.”

These lines mean: “Did Alp Er Tunga die? Has the cruel world been left empty without him? Has time avenged him? Now the heart is shattered.” They poignantly capture the mourning of a people for their fallen hero.

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