2025, vol. 13, no. 2. Emanov A.G.

2025, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 346-366

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-2.346-366

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/LAWWQQ

   THE TATAR WORLD’S PEOPLES CATALOG
BY IOHANNES OF SULTHANYEH IN THE EARLY 15th CENTURY

A.G. Emanov
Tyumen State University
Tyumen, Russian Federation
a.g.emanov@utmn.ru

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to study the Tatar World’s Peoples Catalog in the Manuscript Versions of “Libellus de notitia orbis” by Iohannes of Sulthanyeh in the early 15th century.Research materials: The “Libellus de notitia orbis” by Iohannes of Sulthanyeh in 1404, preserved in manuscripts of the Austrian National Library in Vienna (ÖNB Cod. Ser. n. 39086), the University Library of Basel (BUB EIII17; BUB AV25), the University Library of Graz (GUB Ms. 1221), the Monastery Library of Klostenburg (KSB Cod. 1099), the University Library of Leipzig (LUB Ms. 1225), and the Diocesan Library of St. Pölten (SPDB Hs. 63). For a critical understanding of the historical and geographical context of the “Book”, as well as for the identification of its sources, the works of biblical, patristic, and medieval chronicle traditions were used, along with the research capabilities of the Patrologia Latina database.Results and novelty of the research: In “Libellus de notitia orbis” by the Dominican monk, Johannes, from the 1404, he laid out the Tatar World’s Peoples Catalog, which included fifteen demonyms into three continents of the Old World, and was divided into two groups – the ancient Biblical and new peoples. Among the ancient Biblical peoples, the Persians and Arabs stood out for their dominance across the three continents. The Persians held this position in Antiquity, while the Arabs rose to prominence a millennium later. In the modern era – as seen by Iohannes of Sulthaniyeh – their place was taken by the Tatars. If the Persians achieved the Unity of the World by the a despotic organization of power, and the Arabs sought the same by adoption of Islam, the Tatars provided a link between scattered parts of the vast Tatars World through a universal language; it was the Tatars’ language that would be used the population of all countries which had been conquered by them. The Tatar Language was indispensable for Europeans, if they were going to do big international trade on the Great Silk Road. In addition to known Western sources of the “Libellus”, namely the “Etimologiae” by Issidorus Hispalensis (died 636), “De imago mundi” by Honorius Augustodunensis (died 1156), “Historia scholastica” by Petrus Comestor (died 1178), “La flor de estoires de la Terre d’Orient” by Haiton (died 1310), and “Epistola Samuelis marroccani” by Alfonsus Bonihomini (died 1353) are demonstrably used in the address of Iohannes of Sulthanyeh to “Ta’rikh-i Sistan” from the 11th century with an addition up to 1325, to the “Chronicle” by Michael the Syrian (died 1199), to “Historia Tartarorum” by De Bridia from 1245, and to “Le Devisement dou monde” by Marco Polo from 1284. Some of the first information about the Khorezmians, Kurds, Turkmens, Chagatais in Western sources were based on the archbishop of Suthanyeh’s own observations, and this expanded data on Tats – not only Iranian ones, but also Caucasian and Crimean.

Keywords: Tatars, Khorezmians, Kurds, Turkmens, Tats, Chagatais, Turks, Sulthanyeh, beginning of the 15th century, “Libellus de notitia orbis”, Iohannes of Sulthanyeh

For citation: Emanov A.G. The Tatar World’s peoples catalog by Iohannes of Sulthanyeh in the early 15th century. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2025, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 346–366. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-2.346-366 (In Russian)

Financial Support: The research was carried out at the expense of a grant from the Russian Science Foundation No. 23-28-01592, https://rscf.ru/project/23-28-01592/

REFERENCES

  1. De Bridia C. Tartar’s History. Christian World and “The Great Mongol Empire”. Materials of Franciscan Mission in 1245. Petersburg: Eurasia, 2002, pp. 75–126. (In Russian)
  2. Emanov A.G. The celestial Jerusalem or the Babylon: the fate of medieval Caffa’s/Feodosia’s. St.Petersburg: Aletheia, 2022. 734 p. (In Russian)
  3. Martynyuk A.V. Russia and Lithuania in the Work of John de Galonifontibus. Studia Historica Europae Orientalis. 2011, no. 4, pp. 79–88. (In Russian)
  4. Michael the Syrian. Chronicle. Written Monuments of the East.1973. Moscow: Nauka, 1979, pp. 26–54. (In Russian)
  5. Svetlov R.V., Shmonin D.V. Porphyry, Chaldaism, Judaism. Σχολη= Schole: Ancient Philosophy and the Classical Tradition. 2023, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 866–874. (In Russian)
  6. Smirnova L.P. Ta’rikh-i Sistan. Moscow: Nauka, 1974. 569 p. (In Russian)
  7. Khautala R. In the Lands of “Northern Tartary”: Information from Latin Sources about the Golden Horde during the Reign of Khan Uzbek. Kazan: Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 2019. 976 p. (In Russian)
  8. De ratione temporum. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Latina. Vol. 90, 1850. cols. 293–578.
  9. Brandes W., Schmieder F., Voẞ R. (eds.). Peoples of the Apocalypse: eschatological Beliefs and political Scenarios. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2016. 377 p.
  10. Casali Ch. John of Sulṭȃniyya. Christian-Muslim Relations: A bibliographical History. 5 (1350–1500), 2013, pp. 291–294.
  11. Casali Ch. Libellus de notitia orbis. Christian-Muslim Relations: A bibliographical History. 5 (1350–1500), 2013, pp. 295–297.
  12. Chadwyck-Healey Ch. (ed.). Patrologia Latina Database. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 2019. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://lib.uchicago.edu/efts/PLD (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  13. Chiesa P. Cartoline dalla Francia. Una (supposta) lettera di re Carlo VI al Prete Gianni. Viaggiare fra le carte. Studi in onore di Bruno Figliuolo. 2024, pp. 135–150.
  14. Feller J. Catalogus codicum manuscriptorum Bibliothecae Paulinae in Academia Lipsiensi. Lipsiae: J.F. Gleditsch, 1686. 450 p.
  15. Fontana V.M. Sacrum theatrum dominicanum. Romae: Ex typographia Nicolai Angeli Tinassii, 1666. 699 p.
  16. Francesco Balducci Pegolotti. Pratica della mercatura. Edited by A. Evans. Camb­ridge, Massachusetts: The Mediaeval Academy of America, 1936. 443 p.
  17. Galterius Cancellarius. Antiochena bella. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Latina. Vol. 154, 1854, col. 995–1037.
  18. Glaẞner Ch. Schmerzliche Verluste. Zu den Handschriftenverkäufen des Benedktinerstiftes Seitenstetten in der Zwischenkriegszeit. Studien und Mitteilungen zur Geschichte des Benediktinerordens und seiner Zweige. 131, 2020, pp. 561–576.
  19. Hieronymus Stridonensis. Commentaria ad Iob. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Latina. 26, 1845, col. 619–802.
  20. Iohannes archiepiscopus OP. Libellus de notitia orbis. Sammelband mit Handschriften und Inkunabeln: [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1450. Wien, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Cod. Ser. N 39086, fol. 163r–212r. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://digital.onb.ac.at/RepViewer/viewer.faces?doc=DTL_4599346&order (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  21. Iohannes de Galonifontibus. Libellus de notitia orbis. Medizinisch-kosmo­graphische Sammelbandschrift: [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1412, um 1380/1390, um 1410/1420 / Leipzig Universitätsbibliothek. Ms. 1225, fol. 183r–251v. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://handschriftenportal.de/workspace (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  22. Iohannes Sultaniensis. Libellus de notitia orbis. Historia de terries orientalibus; legendae: [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1478–1481. Basel Universitätsbibliothek, Hs. EIII17, fol. 92r–116v.
  23. Iohannes Sultaniensis (de Galonifontibus) O.P. Libellus de notitia orbis. Andreas De Broda. Durandus de Sancto Porciano. Iohannes Sultaniensis (de Galonifontibus): [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], erste Hälfte 15 Jh. Graz Universitätsbibliothek, Ms. 1221, fol. 41r–127r.
  24. Iohannes Sultaniensis (de Galonifontibus) OP. Libellus de notitia orbis. Sammelhandschrift mit überwiegend humanistischen Texten: [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1454–1456. St. Pölten, Diözesanbibliothek. Hs. 63, fol. 1r–113r. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://images.icar-us.eu/matricula/DASP/kirche.lokal/Proj/LZArchiv/DZArchiv/
    DASP-digital/I_DA/04_Slg/02_HS/Hs063.jpg (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  25. Iohannes Sultaniensis (de Galonifontibus) OP. Libellus de notitia orbis. Guido de Columnis. Historia Alexandri Magni. Ps. Alexander Magnus. Iohannes Sultaniensis. Ps. Iohannes Presbyter. Ps. Clemens V. Papa: [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1 Viertel 15. Jh. Klosterneuburg, Stiftsbibliothek. Cod. 1099, fol. 175r–242v. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://manuscripta.at/digitalisate.php (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  26. Iohannes III archiepiscopus Sultaniensis OP. Libellus de notitia orbis. Sammelhandschrift (Theologie): [Manuscriptum]. [S. l], 1454–1456. Basel Universi­tätsbibliothek, Hs. AV25, fol. 120r–157v.
  27. Kaepelli Th. Scriptores Ordinis Praedicatorum Medii Aevi. Rome: Ad S. Sabine. Vol. 3, 1980, 358 p.
  28. Kaepelli Th., Panella E. Scriptores Ordinis Praedicatorum Medii Aevi. Rome: Istituto Storico Domenicano. 1993, Vol. 4, 718 p. (In Latin)
  29. Kern A. Der “Libellus de notitia orbis” Johannes’ III. (De Galonifontibus?) O.P. Erzbischofs von Sulthanyeh. Archivum Fratrum Praedicatorum. Vol. 8, 1938, pp. 82–123.
  30. Kern A. Miszellen aus einem Text vom Jahre 1404: a) Erdöl im Kaukasus, b) Zigeuner, c) Krimgoten. Frühgeschichte und Sprachwissenschaft. Vol. 1, 1948, pp. 146–154.
  31. Kohler C. (ed.). Reçueil des historiens des croissades. Documents Arméniens. Vol. II: Documents Latins et Français relatifs à l’Arménie. Paris: Imprimerie nationale, 1906. 1038 p.
  32. Laonicus Chalcocondyla. Historiarum libri decem. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Graeca. 159, 1866, col. 9–554.
  33. Leonardo A. De viris illustribus ordinis praedicatorum. Bononiae: H. Platonis, 1517. 537 fol.
  34. Loenertz R. La société des frères pérégrinants. Études sur l’Orient Dominicain. Roma: Istituto storico Domenicano, 1937. 209 p.
  35. Luttrell A. Timur’s Dominican Envoy. Studies in Ottoman History in Honour of Professor V.L. Mélange. 2011, pp. 209–230.
  36. MacKenzie D.N. Ērān, Ērānšahr. Encyclopedia Iranica. Vol. 8. Iss. 5, 2011. p. 534.
  37. Marco Polo. Le Devisement dou monde / testo a cura di M. Eusebi. Venezia: Edizioni Ca’Foscari, 2018. 602 p.
  38. Nicephorus Gregoras. Byzantinae Historiae. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Graeca. Vol. 148, 1865, col. 119–1527.
  39. Özcan A.T. Timur’un Elçisi Sultaniyeli Johannes ve ‘Libellus de Notitia Orbis’ adli eserinden bazi parçalar. Ankara Üniversitisi Dil ve Tarih-Goğrafya Fakültesi Tarih Bölümü Tarih Araştirmalari Degrisi. 55, 2014, pp. 121–162.
  40. Petrus Comestor. Historia scholastica. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Latina. Vol. 198, 1855, col. 1053-1722.
  41. Quétif J., Échard J. Scriptores Ordinis Praedicatorum. Lutetiae Parisiorum:
    -B. Christophorum Ballard, 1719. Vol. 1. 1010 p.
  42. Reichert F. Johannes von Soldania – ein persischer Erzbischof in österreichischen Handschriften. Studien und Forschungen aus dem Niederösterreichischen Institut für Landeskunde. Vol. 26, 1999, pp. 349–365.
  43. Rouxpetel C. Experiencia et lingua: aux sources de la construction d’un savoir dominicain sur les Oriens chrétiens et islamiques. Savoir profanes dans les ordens mendicants en Italie (XIIIe–XVe siècle). 2023, pp. 561–580.
  44. Sicardus Cremonensis. Chronicon. Patrologiae cursus completus. Serie Latina. Vol. 213, 1855, col. 441–540.
  45. Sylvan A. (ed.). Petrus Comestor. Scolastica historia. Turnhout: Brepols, 2005. 227 p.
  46. Tardy L. Johannes de Galonifontibus 1404. Evi utibes zämolöja a Kaukäzusi nepekköl. Antik Tanulmᾰnyok (Studia Antiqua). 1977, vol. 24, nos. 1–2, pp. 91–123.
  47. Tarfaoui N. Le ‘Libellus de Notitia orbis’ de Jean, archevêque de Sultanieh: edition critique et commentaire: Thèse. Paris: École National des chartes, 2015. 269 p.
  48. Weber R., Gryson R. (eds.). Biblia Sacra iuxta Vulgatam versionem. Stuttgart: Deutsche Biblegesellschaft, 2007. 1980 p.
  49. Williams P.J. (ed.). Septuaginta. Cambridge: Tyndale House, 2020. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://manuscript-bible.ru/greek.htm (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  50. Younan A. Chaldeans and Assyrians in the Middle Ages. [Escondido], 2024. [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://younan.blog/2024/04/02/chaldeans-and-assyrians-in-the-middle-ages (date accessed 20.12.2024).
  51. Zimmermann F., Werner C. (eds.). Urkundenbuch zur Geschichte der Deutschen in Siebenbürgen. Köln. Vol. 3. 1902. 618 p.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexander G. Emanov – Dr. Sci. (History), Professor, Chief Research Fellow of the Centre for Urban Studies, Professor of the Department of History at the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, Tyumen State University (6, Volodarsky Str., Tyumen 625003, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0002-2352-4363, ResearcherID: L-4853-2013, AuthorID: 57220932675. E-mail: a.g.emanov@utmn.ru

Received  02.04.2025
Revised  21.05.2025
Accepted  30.05.2025