2025, vol. 13, no. 2. Margaryan G., Harutyunyan A.

2025, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 295-312

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-2.295-312

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/IKLNLE

   ETHNO-HISTORICAL PERCEPTIONS OF THE TATARS
IN MEDIEVAL ARMENIAN SOURCES:
CONTEXTS AND INTERPRETATIONS

Gor Margaryan 1 *, Anush Harutyunyan 2
1 Yerevan State University
2 Institute of Oriental Studies of the National
Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
* gor_margaryan@mail.ru

Abstract. Research objectives: This article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of the term “Tatars” and its perception in the medieval Armenian ethnopolitical milieu. Within the framework of this objective, a vast variety of issues arise which have to be investigated using different methods of historical research. Particularly, the following questions are under consideration: the perception of the term “Tatar” itself; the first acquaintance with the Tatars; the perceptions regarding their genealogical origins; the problem of identification and differentiation of Tatars; manifestations of the Tatar phenomenon in the adaptation of everyday life of late medieval realities.
Research materials: These issues have been examined based on medieval Armenian sources – historical works and chronicles of Armenian authors of the 13th–15th centuries, who were the contemporaries of the events described. The information of Armenian sources has been compared or contrasted with existing works on the subject.
Research results and novelty: Such a comprehensive study of the Tatar phenomenon in Armenian medieval sources has not been conducted prior to the present study. Therefore, this research is the first attempt at it which highlights the novelty of the research. The work has historical and practical significance. It clearly shows the reasons for the confusion in the historical perception of Tatars with other nations and ethnic groups that were actually different from each other.

Keywords: Tatars, “nation of archers”, Armenian sources, Torgomazuns, negative per­ception, Mongols, interethnic marriages

For citation: Margaryan G., Harutyunyan A. Ethno-Historical Perceptions of the Tatars in Medieval Armenian Sources: Contexts and Interpretations. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie = Golden Horde Review. 2025, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 295–312. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-2.295-312

Financial Support: This work was supported by the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia (Research project № 1-29/24RL-6A032).

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Gor A. Margaryan – Cand. Sci. (History), Associate Professor of the Faculty of International Relations, Yerevan State University (1, Alek Manukyan Str., Yerevan 0025, Republic of Armenia); ORCID: 0000-0002-4675-8963, Scopus AuthorID: 57205190264. E-mail: gor_margaryan@mail.ru

Anush A. Harutyunyan – Cand. Sci. (History), Junior Researcher, Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (24/4, Marshal Baghramyan Ave, Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia); ORCID: 0000-0002-2902-0932; Scopus AuthorID։ 58988567200; E-mail: anushhar1997@gmail.com

 Received  18.01.2025
 Revised  30.04.2025
Accepted  21.05.2025