a turkic people, the khazars, conquered the lower volga basin steppes between the caspian and black seas up to the 8th century. they were known for their laws, tolerance, and cosmopolitanism. the khazars traded with the baltic and the muslim abbasid empire centered in baghdad. they were important allies of the byzantine empire, and helped win wars against arab caliphates. in the 8th century, the khazars became jewish.