ook Review: Seleznev Yu.V. Kartiny ordynskogo iga [Scenes of the Horde’s Yoke]

• Main Author: Halperin Ch.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: State Institution «Sh.Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences» 2019-06-01
• Series: Zolotoordynskoe Obozrenie
• Online Access: http://goldhorde.ru/en/stati2019-2-13/

The latest monograph by Iurii Vasil’evich Seleznev of Voronezh State University, Kartiny ordynskogo iga, discusses the social and political interaction of Rus’ prin­ces with the Juchid ulus (the Horde) during the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. By examining trips by Rus’ princes to and from the Horde and the amount of time they spent at the Horde, the activities of Rus’ princes who became in-laws of the khans by marrying Chingissid princesses, Rus’ princely attendance at Horde quriltais (assemblies), how the Rus’ princes greeted khans who crossed Rus’ territory, Rus’ princely service in Horde military campaigns, possible Rus’ princely membership in the Horde’s Imperial Guard (keshig), the reception of Horde envoys by the Rus’ princes and the dispatch of Rus’ envoys to the Horde, and the judicial processes that led to the execution of Rus’ princes at Sarai or in the Horde’s nomadic camp, Seleznev demonstrates conclusively that the Rus’ princes had the opportunity to become familiar with Horde military strategy and tactics, Horde ceremonial and ritual, and Horde political culture. However, the question of the extent of Tatar inf­luence on Rus’ political institutions and identity remains a difficult one.