Glossary

Arhan Mongol troop of ten men.

Atabeg Turkish governor: literally father governor.

Bahadur Mongol knight: literally hero.

Bezant European coin originally struck in Byzantium.

Boyar Russian baron.

Brodniki Community of nomad fishermen on the Lower Don.

Caliph Moslem religious ruler: literally successor (to the Prophet). Cumans Turko-Mongol nomads of the Russian steppes.

Gurkhan Turkish ruler of Kara Khitai.

Il-khan Mongol ruler of Persia, subordinate to the supreme khan.

Imam Eminent Moslem who leads the congregation in prayer.

Jacobites Dissident Christian sect founded by Jacobus Baradaeus.

Jagun Mongol squadron of lOO men.

Kalat Mongol tunic.

Kanglis Tribe of Cumans.

Kashik Mongol imperial guard.

Kipchaks Eastern name for Cumans.

Kumiz Alcoholic drink made from fermented mares* milk.

Mamluks Slave soldiers who became rulers of Egypt.

Mangudai Mongol unit which feigned flight to tempt its enemy into an ambush.

Minghan Mongol regiment of i, ooo men.

Musalla Open place where Moslem salat (ritual prayer) is performed on special occasions.

Naccara Mongol kettle drum.

Naphtha Inflammable oil.

Nestorians Dissident Christian sect founded by Nestorius.

Noyan Mongol baron and military commander of i, ooo or more.

Ordu Mongol camp.

Orlok Mongol field marshal.

Paitze Mongol tablet of authority.

Saracens Greek and Roman name for Syrio-Arabian nomads. Later used by Crusaders to describe Moslems.

Seljuks Moslem Turks; xith century conquerors of eastern Islam and XInth century rulers of Rum.

Shamanism Primitive Ural-Altaic religion: belief in good and evil spirits.

Taoism Ancient, philosophical Chinese religion.

Tulughma Mongol manoeuvre - the standard sweep.

Tumen Mongol division of 10,000 men.

Vizier Senior Moslem minister.

Yam Mongol post system.

Yurt Mongol tent.

Yurtchi Mongol quartermaster.