Ancient Tartary

Ancient Tartary, often referred to as "Tartaria" or "the Great Tartary," was a historical term used in the early modern period (16th to 19th centuries) by Western European geographers and mapmakers to describe a vast and largely undefined region in Eurasia. It covered much of what we now know as Russia, Central Asia, Siberia, and parts of China and Mongolia. Tartary was not a unified nation or empire, but rather a general term for the various peoples, cultures, and lands in this massive and sparsely understood area.

Geography and Scope

The region known as Tartary spanned much of northern and central Asia, with its boundaries shifting over time and depending on who was describing it. In European maps and writings, Tartary could include:

• Siberia (Siberian Tartary)
• Central Asia (Chinese Tartary)
• Mongolia (Mongol Tartary)
• Manchuria (Eastern Tartary)

Due to the vastness and diversity of this region, Tartary was home to numerous nomadic tribes and cultures, such as the Mongols, the Tatars, the Huns, and other steppe peoples. Each of these groups had its own history, but to Europeans, these peoples were often lumped together under the term “Tartars.”

Origins of the Name

The term "Tartary" or "Tartaria" likely derives from "Tatar," a name that originally referred to Mongol tribes that played a major role in the Mongol Empire. Over time, however, the term expanded to include many nomadic peoples, regardless of their specific ethnic or cultural background. The use of the word also became somewhat mythical in Western Europe, where there was often limited knowledge of these remote lands.

Tartary in European Maps

During the early modern period, European mapmakers depicted Tartary as a vast, mysterious, and sometimes fantastical land. Because much of the area was unexplored by Europeans, maps of Tartary often included imaginative or speculative details, such as mythical cities, strange animals, and unknown rivers. It was a "blank space" on many maps, reflecting the limited knowledge European explorers and scholars had about inner Asia at the time.

Cultural and Political Misunderstanding

The concept of Tartary as a unified entity is misleading because it was never a single empire or kingdom. Instead, it was inhabited by a wide variety of peoples and cultures. Western Europeans, who had limited contact with the inhabitants of this region, often conflated different groups, leading to a simplified and sometimes exoticized image of "Tartars" as fierce nomads or barbaric invaders.

Decline of the Concept

By the 19th century, the term "Tartary" began to fall out of use as European explorers, missionaries, and scholars gained more knowledge of the region. With the expansion of the Russian Empire into Siberia and Central Asia, as well as the growing influence of the Qing Dynasty in China, the more accurate and specific names for the regions and peoples began to replace the broad and ambiguous label of Tartary.

Modern Tartary Conspiracy Theories

In recent years, some fringe groups have promoted conspiracy theories related to Tartary, suggesting that it was a hidden or suppressed ancient civilization with advanced technology that was deliberately erased from history. According to these theories, Tartary was supposedly a global power that controlled much of Eurasia but was mysteriously "covered up" by historians and governments. These ideas often rely on misinterpretations of old maps and historical texts and are not supported by mainstream academic research.

The Mongol Empire and Tartary

A major historical entity often associated with Tartary is the Mongol Empire, which was one of the largest empires in history. Founded by Genghis Khan in the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire stretched across much of Eurasia, from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean. While the Mongols themselves were just one of many peoples associated with Tartary, their influence was immense, and their conquests left a lasting mark on the history of the region.

Conclusion

The term "Tartary" reflects a European view of a vast, diverse, and largely unknown part of the world. Though it never existed as a unified state or civilization, Tartary has captured the imagination of historians, mapmakers, and more recently, conspiracy theorists. The region it referred to was home to numerous nomadic cultures and peoples, including the Mongols, who shaped much of medieval Eurasian history.

If you're interested in any specific aspect of Tartary, such as the peoples, cultures, or specific historical events tied to this region, let me know!