The Xiong-nu were the first Great Empire of the Eastern Steppe and the strongest opponent of the Han Dynasty. The title of Khagan is even thought to have originated from the language of the nobility. But what was their language? The most likely candidate is a Yeniseian one. The names of Xiong-nu horses have Yeniseian prefixes and most of their attested vocabulary appears to be Yeniseian or Para Yeniseian
Among the Huns, which were likely descendants of the Xiong-nu, even the name Attila is likely of Yeniseian origin (meaning the Quick), as the Turkic one does not make sense (the Oceanic. If it meant the Great, the Great King or the Vast, it would've been more likely)
Among the Huns, which were likely descendants of the Xiong-nu, even the name Attila is likely of Yeniseian origin (meaning the Quick), as the Turkic one does not make sense (the Oceanic. If it meant the Great, the Great King or the Vast, it would've been more likely)
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