The origins of the szlachta, while ancient, have always been considered obscure.:207 As a result, its members often referred to it as odwieczna (perennial).:207 Two popular historic theories of origin forwarded by its members and earlier historians and chroniclers involved descent from the ancient Iranian tribes known as Sarmatians or from Japheth, one of Noah's sons (by contrast, the peasantry were said to be the offspring of another son of Noah, Ham—and hence subject to bondage under the Curse of Ham—and the Jews as the offspring of Shem). Other fanciful theories included its foundation by Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great:207 or regional leaders who had not mixed their bloodlines with those of 'slaves, prisoners, and aliens'.:208 COUNT 5
QSN1 Have the origins of the szlachta been clear or obscure? ANS1 obscure QSN2 What did they use to refer to the origin of szlactha? ANS2 odwieczna QSN3 What was one historic theory of the szlachta origins? ANS3 descent from the ancient Iranian tribes known as Sarmatians QSN4 What was another regional leader involved in the origins of szlachta? ANS4 Alexander the Great QSN5 What was important and unique about regional leaders? ANS5 had not mixed their bloodlines with those of 'slaves, prisoners, and aliens