Cumans: Difference between revisions
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
The Cumans invaded southern [[Ukraine]], [[Moldavia]], [[Wallachia]], and part of [[Transylvania]] in the [[11th century]] and then continued their plundering of the [[Byzantine Empire]], [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], and [[Kievan Rus']]. |
The Cumans invaded southern [[Ukraine]], [[Moldavia]], [[Wallachia]], and part of [[Transylvania]] in the [[11th century]] and then continued their plundering of the [[Byzantine Empire]], [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], and [[Kievan Rus']]. |
||
In [[1089]], they were defeated by [[Ladislaus I of Hungary]]. |
In [[1089]], they were defeated by [[Ladislaus I of Hungary]]. In alliance with the [[Vlachs]] ([[Romanians]]) and the [[Bulgarians]] during the [[Vlach-Bulgar Rebellion]] by brothers Asen and Peter in [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]], the Cumans are considered to have played a significant role in the final victory of the rebellion over Byzantium and the restoration of Bulgaria's independence ([[1185]]). The Cumans suffered a severe defeat defeated by Russian prince [[Vladimir Monomakh]] in the [[12th century]] and crushed by the [[Tatars]] in [[1238]]. Many took refuge in Hungary, [[Bulgaria]], and the Byzantine Empire. After many clashes with Hungarians, they eventually fled Hungary to join others in Bulgaria. A large segment of Cumans were re-invited back to Hungary. The Cumans from what is now Russia joined the [[Khan|khanate]] of the [[Golden Horde]]. |
||
In the [[13th century]], the Western Cumans became [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic Christians]], while the Eastern Cumans converted to [[Islam]]. The Catholic "Diocese of the Cumans", founded in [[Milcov]] in [[1227]] and including what is now [[Romania]] and [[Moldova]], retained its title until [[1523]]. |
In the [[13th century]], the Western Cumans became [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic Christians]], while the Eastern Cumans converted to [[Islam]]. The Catholic "Diocese of the Cumans", founded in [[Milcov]] in [[1227]] and including what is now [[Romania]] and [[Moldova]], retained its title until [[1523]]. |
||
Revision as of 10:03, 15 May 2006
Cumans, also called as Polovtsy, (Russian Половцы, from old Slavic for pale yellowish) was the European name for the Western Kipchaks, a nomadic West Turkic tribe living on the north of the Black Sea along the Volga.
History
The Cumans invaded southern Ukraine, Moldavia, Wallachia, and part of Transylvania in the 11th century and then continued their plundering of the Byzantine Empire, Hungary, and Kievan Rus'.
In 1089, they were defeated by Ladislaus I of Hungary. In alliance with the Vlachs (Romanians) and the Bulgarians during the Vlach-Bulgar Rebellion by brothers Asen and Peter in Tarnovo, the Cumans are considered to have played a significant role in the final victory of the rebellion over Byzantium and the restoration of Bulgaria's independence (1185). The Cumans suffered a severe defeat defeated by Russian prince Vladimir Monomakh in the 12th century and crushed by the Tatars in 1238. Many took refuge in Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Byzantine Empire. After many clashes with Hungarians, they eventually fled Hungary to join others in Bulgaria. A large segment of Cumans were re-invited back to Hungary. The Cumans from what is now Russia joined the khanate of the Golden Horde.
In the 13th century, the Western Cumans became Catholic Christians, while the Eastern Cumans converted to Islam. The Catholic "Diocese of the Cumans", founded in Milcov in 1227 and including what is now Romania and Moldova, retained its title until 1523.
The Cuman influence in that region was so strong that even the earliest rulers of Wallachia bore Cuman names. Basarab I, son of the Romanian leader Tihomir of Wallachia obtained independence from Hungary at the beginning of the 14th century. The name Basarab is considered as being of Cuman origin, meaning "Father King".
ú==Legacy==
While the Cumans were assimilated, their name can still be seen in placenames as far as the city of Kumanovo in the Macedonia, Comăneşti in Romania and Comana in Dobruja. A trace of their presence is also the frequent Bulgarian surname Kumanov (feminine Kumanova), and its Macedonian variant Kumanovski (femininne Kumanovska). The Cumans settled in Hungary had their own self-government there. Their name (kún) is still preserved in place names such as Bács-Kiskun and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, and town names as (eg.) Kiskunhalas, Kiskunszentmiklós as well.
Also, toponyms of Cuman language origin can be found especially in the Romanian counties of Vaslui and Galaţi, including the names of both counties.
In the countries where the Cumans were assimilated, family names derived from the words for "Cuman" (such as coman or kun, "kuman") are not uncommon. Among the people that have such a name are Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci, Romanian poet Otilia Coman (Ana Blandiana) and Romanian football player Gigel Coman.
For the Russian relations with the Cumans (in Russian: Polovtsy), see the Battle of the Stugna River, the Battle of the Kalka River, and the Tale of Igor's Campaign. A set of Polovtsian Dances occurs in Alexander Borodin's opera Prince Igor.
Further reading
- Vasary, Istvan (2005) "Cumans and Tatars", Cambridge University Press