The term "Turkic" here should not be confused with the modern term "Turkish." Though present-day Turks share common roots with the Turkic peoples, they represent two distinct nations, both chronologically and geographically.

Bumin and his ally Istemi forged a true Eurasian empire stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Urals. Between 555–590, the Turkic armies reached the Caspian Sea and formed alliances with the Byzantines and Iranians. The Turkic Empire benefited greatly from the passage of the Silk Road, which generated substantial revenues. The Turkics succeeded in defeating the Chinese and demanded silk as reparations. Furthermore, the Turkics maintained cordial relations with the Byzantines and received ambassadors from Constantinople.

So vast a monarchy fell into conflict and fragmented into an eastern and a western kingdom. This division stemmed from disputes among princes and uprisings of the conquered nations.

In the early 7th century, Khan Kat-Il of the eastern kingdom moved to encircle Tang dynasty China. The western Turkics formed a confederation to pacify the region's peoples, though it eventually dissolved.

The Tang dynasty established its hegemony over Central Asia in 630.

The Turkic Empire produced numerous written documents inscribed upon stone monuments. These stone inscriptions were rendered in the ancient Turkic script and reveal much about their religion and way of life. The Turkics were pagan and practiced shamanism. Under the Tang dynasty, Turkics served in the Chinese army against Koreans, Tibetans, and others. Yet according to the Turkic stones, they rebelled and established the Second Turkic Empire. The Turkics of the second realm became known as the "Blue Turkics" because they revered their blue sky. The Blue Turkics retreated into the steppe, only to find themselves surrounded by enemies—the Chinese to the south, the Karluks and Kyrgyz to the west. Led by the brilliant general Kultegin, the Blue Turkics defeated them one by one and became a dominant force in Central Asia. Under Khan Bilge, alongside General Kul-tegin and Chancellor Tonyukuk, the Blue Turkics reclaimed their ancient traditions. Subsequent generations enjoyed a period of relative peace.

The next khan, Yollig-tegin, authored many stone inscriptions. In 745, the Second Turkic Empire fell into civil war with the Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking nation that later became distinct. The Uighurs prevailed in this conflict and established their kingdom upon the ruins of the Turkic Empire.