beyond the Oxus river, and that they
were generally regarded as belonging to the Scythic or Finno-Turkic
population, which, at any rate from B.C. 200, had become powerful in
that region. They were called "White Huns" by some of the Greeks; but
it is admitted that they were quite distinct from the Huns who invaded
Europe under Attila; and it may be doubted whether the term "Hun" is
more appropriate to them than that of Turk or even of Chinese. The
description of their physical character and habits left us by Procopius,
who wrote when they were at the height of their power, is decidedly
adverse to the view that they were really Huns. They were a
light-complexioned race, whereas the Huns were decidedly swart; they
were not ill-looking, whereas the Huns were hideous; they were an
agricultural people, while the Huns were nomads; they had good laws, and
were tolerably well civilized, but the Huns were savages. It is probable
that they belonged to the Thibetic or Turkish stock, which has always
been in advance of the Finnic, and has shown a greater aptitude for
political organization and social progress.

We are told that the war of Varahran V. with this people commenced with
an invasion of his kingdom by their Khacan, or Kahn, who crossed the
Oxus with an army of 35,000 (or, according to others, of 250,000) men,
and carried fire and sword into some of the most fertile provinces of
Persia. The rich oasis, known as Meru or Merv, the ancient Margiana, is
especially mentioned as overrun by his troops, which are said by some
to have crossed the Elburz range into Khorassan and to have proceeded
westward as far as Kei, or Rhages. When news of the invasion reached
the Persian court, the alarm felt was great; Varahran was pressed
to assemble his forces at once and encounter the unknown enemy; he,
however, professed complete indifference, said that the Almighty would
preserve the empire, and that, for his own part, he was going to hunt in
Azerbijan, or Media Atropatene. During his absence the government could
be conducted by Narses, his brother. All Persia was now thrown into
consternation; Varahran was believed to have lost his senses; and it was
thought that the only prudent course was to despatch an embassy to
the Khacan, and make an arrangement with him by which Persia should
acknowledge his suzerainty and consent to pay him a tribute. Ambassadors
accordingly were sent; and the invaders, satisfied with the offer of
submission, rema