Cumans - Nomadic Warriors in Eastern Europe of the High Middle Ages

Abstract

Ovaj diplomski rad posvećen je Kumanima, turkijskome nomadskom narodu koji je od sredine 11. stoljeća do provale Mongola u 13. stoljeću dominirao ogromnom istočnoeuropskom ravnicom. Kao vrsni nomadski ratnici često su ulazili u sukobe sa susjednim državama, a ponajviše s Kijevskom državom i Bizantom. Istovremeno, kao izrazito učinkovita vojna snaga uvijek na raspolaganju svojemu savezniku, djelovali su i kao agens u ponovnoj obnovi nezavisne Bugarske. Njihov status i položaj bitno se mijenjaju s provalom Mongola, događajem koji će, kao i u slučaju mnogih drugih naroda, zapečatiti njihovu sudbinu. Međutim, koliki su zapravo utjecaj imala kumanska plemena na političku povijest razvijenoga srednjeg vijeka? Ovaj rad nastoji ponuditi odgovor na to pitanje.The present master's thesis pays particular attention to the Cumans, a Turkic nomadic people that ruled over the vast area od the eastern European steppes from the middle of the 11th century untill the Mongol invasion of the 13th century. As exceptional nomadic warriors, they often engaged in conflicts with the neighbouring states, especially with Kievan Rus' and Byzantium. At the same time, as a highly efficient military support always at their ally's disposal, they acted as a trigger in a restoration of the independent Bulgaria. Their situation profoundly changes with the Mongol invasion, an event that will, as in the case of many other peoples, seal their destiny. However, how grand of an impact have these Cuman tribes had on the political history of the High Middle Ages? The present paper proposes to give an answer to that question