Index

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A

Abaoji. See Taizu (Liao emperor)

Abaqa (Ilkhan of Iran), 350, 356, 380, 540n37

Abbasid Caliphate. See also specific caliphs

Baghdad as capital of, 238–241, 251, 296

Byzantine Empire and, 234

establishment of, 238

Ibn Fadlan as envoy of, 45, 88, 244, 250–251

mamluks and, 241, 242

Mongol Empire and, 330–332, 335

Sunni Islam and, 242, 247, 255, 307, 330, 338

Tang dynasty and, 239–240

trade and, 50, 51

Zanj rebellion against, 241, 509n40

Abu Bakr (Rashidun caliph), 237

Achaemenid dynasty, 42, 80, 100, 128, 131–135, 142, 240

Aelia Pulcheria, 177, 180, 188

Aetius, Flavius, 18–19, 188–192, 490n3

Afanasievo culture, 27, 32, 36

Alans, 19, 77–78, 87, 169, 172–173, 189–191, 315, 319, 399

Alaric (Visigoths), 18, 175–176, 179, 480n25

Alchon Huns, 164–167

Alexander III (pope), 266

Alexander Romance, 84–87

Alexander the Great, 79–89, 119, 409

Alexius Comnenus (Byzantine Empire), 213–214, 262–263

Alp Arslan (Seljuk Turks), 248, 249, 256–258, 261–263, 409, 513n38

Altaic languages, 40, 47, 58, 97–98, 172, 217, 219, 281

Ammianus Marcellinus, 21, 48, 69, 159–160, 170, 172, 181

Anatolian languages, 25–26, 28, 30–31, 100

Andronovo culture, 36, 472n6

animism, 166, 172, 278, 362

An Lushan Rebellion, 229, 240

Antiochus VII Sidetes (Seleucid Empire), 132

Antony, Mark, 136, 476n25

Arabshah, Ahmad ibn, 391

Arcadius (Byzantine Empire), 174, 175, 177

Ardashir I (Sassanid Empire), 128, 142

Ardashir II (Sassanid Empire), 167–168

Arigh Böke (Mongol Empire), 340, 347, 348, 356

Aristotle, 79, 81

Armenia and Armenians

Alan invasion of, 87

Byzantine annexation of, 255

language of, 25, 84

migrations of, 35

Muslim armies in, 206

partitioning of, 167–168

resistance to Zoroastrianism, 485n48

Roman Empire and, 138–141

Scythian raids into, 75

War of the Armenian Succession, 139

Arrian, 77–78, 81

Arsaces (Parthian Empire), 131, 133, 134

Arsacid dynasty, 114, 131, 134–143

Artabanus V (Parthian Empire), 142

Ascelin of Lombardy, 371

Ashoka (Mauryan Empire), 38, 121, 122, 124, 459n56

Aspar, 180, 182, 187

Assyrians, 31, 41–42

Ateas (Scythian king), 75

Athaulf (Visigoths), 176

Attila the Hun

death of, 20, 186, 191

description of, 184–185

Italy invaded by, 15–20, 191

legacy of, 193–196, 408, 409

Modu Chanyu’s influence on, 99

plots against, 183–184

rise to power, 181, 182, 185

Roman Gaul siege by, 15, 190–191

succession to, 185–186, 192, 490n12

tribute exacted by, 186–188

Augustus (Roman Empire), 127, 136–139

Aurelian (Roman Empire), 148, 179

Avars, 197–202, 205, 214, 218, 326, 481n36

Avesta (Zoroastrian text), 37

Ayyubids, 335–336, 339, 341, 367

B

Bacon, Roger, 366

Bactrian language, 121, 122, 161, 165

Baghdad

Abbasid capital at, 238–241, 251, 296

Fatimid occupation of, 256

as intellectual center, 331

as international market, 51

Mongol sack of, 330–332, 338–339, 403

Tamerlane and, 402–403

Turks in, 57, 251, 255, 307

Bagrat V (Georgia), 398

Bahram I (Sassanid Empire), 232

Bahram V (Sassanid Empire), 162

Baidar, 319, 323–324, 333

Baiju, 336–337, 371–372

Ban Chao, 113–116

Ban Gu, 113, 134

Ban Zhao, 113

Barkuk (Mamluk sultan), 399, 402

Basil II (Byzantine Empire), 212–213, 257, 498n44

Basil Bulgaroctonus (Byzantine Empire), 257

Batu (Mongol Empire)

Carpine and, 368–369

Golden Horde and, 313

Güyük and, 317, 332, 333

imperial army of, 344

as khan of the Golden Horde, 331

western campaign of, 48, 315, 317–329

William of Rubruck and, 375, 376

Bayan (Mongol Empire), 346, 350–351, 539n13

Bayan Kaghan (Avars), 199, 200

Baybars (Mamluk sultan), 342

Bayezit Yildirim (Ottoman Empire), 402, 404–406

Bedouins, 139, 221, 237–238

Bela IV (Hungary), 319, 321, 323–326, 328, 329, 369

Berke (Mongol Empire), 319, 331, 347, 348, 379

Bhanugupta (Gupta Empire), 166

Bilğe Kaghan (Gök Turks), 21, 74, 216, 226. See also Orkhon inscriptions

Black Sheep Turks, 397, 398, 403

Bleda (Huns), 181, 182, 185–187

block printing, 272, 410

Bögü Kaghan (Uyghurs), 231, 506n68

Book of the Marvels of the World (Polo), 365, 366, 382–386

Book of Victories (Yazdi), 390–391

Boris of Bulgaria, 204, 213

Boroghul, 293, 304

Börte (wife of Genghis Khan), 282, 284, 288, 298, 313

Boucher, Guillaume de, 334, 376, 377

Brahmi script, 24, 38, 165, 220, 230

Buddha sculptures/statues, 117, 126, 129, 144, 210, 309, 472n1

Buddhism. See also cave monasteries

arts in, 125, 126

Chinese language texts, 59, 146

Christianity compared to, 124

enlightenment in, 59–60, 122, 123

Genghis Khan and, 290

Han dynasty and, 145

in India, 121, 125–127, 164, 166

kaghan sponsoring of, 16

Khitans and, 267, 270

Kublai Khan and, 362

in Kushan Empire, 118, 122–129

Mahayana, 59–60, 123, 146

missionaries and, 59–60, 122, 123, 220, 457n28

Northern Wei dynasty and, 144–147, 153, 155

in Parthian Empire, 135

Polo’s views of, 383

Tang dynasty and, 224, 233

tantric, 345–346

Tocharian texts, 22, 24, 27, 32, 59, 124, 146

trade and, 145, 146

Uyghurs and, 230, 233

Bulgars

Byzantine Empire and, 203–205, 212, 214

Ibn Fadlan and, 21, 88

Islam and, 88, 213, 244, 510n55

language of, 219

migration of, 206

Mongol Empire and, 315, 318, 319

Bumin Kaghan (Gök Turks), 48, 198, 217, 218, 222–223, 409–410

Burgundians, 19, 176, 189, 194

Byzantine Empire. See also Constantinople; specific rulers

Armenia annexed by, 255

Avars and, 198–202, 214

Bulgars and, 203–205, 212, 214

Cumans and, 212, 214, 263

diplomacy in, 180, 196, 203–204, 214, 409

Gök Turks and, 205–206, 218

Huns and, 175, 177, 180, 185–188

Khazars and, 206–209, 214

military of, 82, 177, 189, 200–201, 207, 221

missionaries from, 204, 213, 214

Muslim attacks on, 206–207, 234, 237

Sassanids and, 197–199, 201–202

Seljuk Turks and, 215, 248–249, 257–259

C

camels, 37, 50–51, 130, 249–251, 401

Caracalla (Roman Empire), 142

caravan trade, 50–52, 98, 109

Carpine, Giovanni da Pian del, 44, 48–49, 318, 327, 365–371, 375, 544n6

Cassius, C. Avidius, 141

caste system

Brahmins (priests), 57, 123–125

kshatriyas (warriors), 38

sudras (laborers), 39

vaishyas (merchants), 126

Cathay, 267, 276, 343, 345, 365, 382, 386, 410

Catherine the Great, 244

Catholicism, 193, 361, 377, 378

Cato, Marcus Porcius, 153

cave monasteries

Kizil Cave, 27, 40

Mogao Caves, 24, 60, 146

Silk Road proliferation of, 127

Xuanzang on, 118

Yangyang, 155

Yungang, 144

Celestine IV (pope), 329

Celtic languages, 25, 34, 35

Centum languages, 25, 32–35

Chabi (wife of Kublai Khan), 354, 358

Chagatai, 308, 312–313, 326, 391–392

Chaghri (Seljuk Turks), 254, 255, 257

Charaton (Huns), 180

chariots, 31, 35–37, 55–56, 63, 82, 90, 92, 106, 408

Charlemagne (Holy Roman Emperor), 202

Chengzong. See Temür Khan

China. See also Confuciansim; Great Wall of China; specific rulers and dynasties

Bilğe Kaghan on contact with, 21, 74, 216

Daoism in, 145, 147

Five Baits and, 16, 96, 154, 228, 270

Grand Canal in, 224, 271, 274, 349, 351, 359

imperial armies of, 63

Khitans and, 268–273

nationalism and, 22–23

unification of, 155, 223, 224, 343, 344

Warring States period in, 40, 90, 146, 148, 149, 233

Chinese ideograms, 58, 90, 99–100, 110, 360, 362

Chinese language, 59, 61, 90, 146, 281

Chionites. See Kidarites

Christianity. See also Crusades; Nestorian Christianity

Buddhism compared to, 124

Catholicism, 193, 361, 377, 378

Monophysite view of, 202

Orthodox, 204, 208, 209, 213, 214, 259

in Parthian Empire, 135

steppe nomads as viewed in, 87–88

Chronicle of Novgorod, 315

Cimmerians, 40–41

Clavijo, Ruy Gonzalez de, 389, 393, 406

Coleridge, Samuel, 135, 364, 385

Columbus, Christopher, 386, 548n118

Confuciansim

Han dynasty and, 95, 100, 145

Jin dynasty and, 149

Neo-Confucianism, 268, 271–272, 361

Northern Wei dynasty and, 145, 152–154

Song dynasty and, 348

Sui dynasty and, 224

Tang dynasty and, 224, 226, 227

Conrad III (Germany), 265

Constantine (Roman Empire), 124, 177

Constantine Porphyrogenitus (Byzantine Empire), 209

Constantinople. See also Byzantine Empire; Theodosian walls

Avar siege of, 197–198, 202

Crusades and, 379

earthquake in, 187

Gothic garrison in, 175

Muslim attacks on, 206, 207, 237

Ottoman Empire and, 143, 179, 404

population of, 177

Rus naval attacks on, 211, 212

seniority of Rome to, 15

Corbulo, Gnaeus Domitius, 139, 477n37

Corded Ware culture, 34, 36, 62

cranial deformity ritual, 120, 165, 181

Crassus, Marcus Licinius, 130–131, 136, 137

Crusades

First, 259, 263, 331, 514n56

Second, 265

Third, 266

Fourth, 179, 379

Fifth, 279, 307, 311, 367

Seventh, 336, 373

Cumans, 212–214, 263, 307, 309, 314–315, 318–319, 323, 325–326

cuneiform, 25–26, 31, 32, 37, 38, 100, 451n23, 476n13

Cyrus the Great (Persian Empire), 42, 66–67, 121

D

Dali kingdom, 345–346

Danylo (Russian prince), 321

Daoism, 145, 147, 231, 289, 361

Daowu (Northern Wei emperor), 145, 149, 150, 152

Darius I (Persian Empire), 38, 42, 65–69, 75, 79, 100, 134, 409

Darius III (Persian Empire), 80

Dashi (Khitans), 53, 267, 275–278, 458n32

Deguang (Khitans), 270–271

Delhi sultanate, 400–401, 406

Demetrius II Nicator (Seleucid Empire), 131–132

Diocletian (Roman Empire), 110

distributed survival strategy, 52–53

Dominicans, 329, 366, 367, 371–372, 381

Dong Wan (Northern Wei emperor), 165

Dou Gu, 113

Dou Xian, 112–113

Duzong (Song emperor), 348–349, 351, 540n32

E

Eastern Roman Empire. See Byzantine Empire

Eleanor of Aquitaine, 265

Eljigidei, 337, 372

enlightenment (Buddhism), 59–60, 122, 123

enlightenment (Manichaeism), 60, 232

Eugenius III (pope), 264, 265

F

Fanakati, Ahmad, 360–361

Fan Ye, 137–138

Faraj (Mamluk sultan), 402, 403, 405

Fatimid Caliphate, 256–258

Faxian, 123, 125, 146

The Feast of Attila (Than), 184

females. See women

Feng (wife of Wencheng), 153

Ferdinand von Richthofen, 23

Finno-Ugric languages, 29, 36, 200, 204

Five Baits, 16, 96, 154, 228, 270

Franciscans, 44, 329, 332–334, 336, 366–367, 373, 376–377

Franks, 19, 176, 190–191, 202, 279, 307, 331, 341

Frederick II (Holy Roman Emperor), 307, 326–329, 527nn62–63

Frederick Barbarossa (Holy Roman Emperor), 264, 266

G

Gainas, 175

Galla Placidia, 176, 188–189

Gan Ying, 114–116

Gaozong (Tang emperor), 227

Gaozu (Han emperor), 95–97

Gaozu (Tang emperor), 224–225, 504n33

Genghis Khan (Mongol Empire)

ancestral history of, 53

birth and early life, 282–284

death of, 288, 299, 310, 315

description of, 288–289

exile of, 49, 283, 286

“four dogs of war” and, 291–292, 299

historical sources on, 21

imperial army of, 292–294, 298–304, 308

legacy of, 290–291, 294, 311, 408–409

massacres by, 285, 293–294, 303, 308, 309

military conquests of, 295–310, 314–315

religion and, 58, 289–290

rise to power, 275, 280, 284–287

succession to, 312, 313

unification of Mongol tribes by, 280–281, 287

western campaign waged by, 48

yassa (law code) of, 281, 290, 316

Gengshi (Han emperor), 111

George IV (Georgia), 311, 315

Gepidae, 17, 20, 173, 192, 199, 495n14

Germanic languages, 25, 28, 33–35, 451n27

Germanic tribes. See specific peoples

gers, 28, 44–45, 62, 71, 283–285, 359, 364

Ghaznavids, 252–255, 258

Gibbon, Edward, 192

global economy, 84, 386, 410

Gök Turks. See also specific rulers

alphabetic script of, 220

Byzantine Empire and, 205–206, 218

confederation of, 217

military of, 98, 221–222

Modu Chanyu’s influence on, 99

Rourans and, 154, 198, 217–218

Sassanids and, 168, 218

Silk Road and, 218

Tang dynasty and, 117, 206, 216–217, 222, 224–228

Golden Horde

Batu and, 331

Berke and, 347

Genghis Khan on, 313

Mengu-Timur and, 356

Tamerlane and, 48, 397–400, 402, 405–406, 409

tribute received by, 379

Goths. See also Visigoths

Hun attacks on, 169–170, 173

Ostrogoths, 17, 173, 179, 190–192

Roman Empire and, 148, 170, 171, 174–176

Grand Canal, 224, 271, 274, 349, 351, 359

Gratian (Roman Empire), 171

Greater Vehicle Buddhism. See Mahayana Buddhism

Great Wall of China

building and repairing, 91–92, 105, 106, 363

expansion of, 105, 107, 224

frontier society created near, 97

Mongol breakthrough at, 302

restoration of order along, 95, 272

symbolism of, 87, 91

trade by nomadic peoples along, 49

in uniting of barbarian tribes, 93, 98

warlords keeping order along, 147

Great Wall of Gorgan, 164

Greek language, 25, 35, 58, 205, 452n47

Gregory X (pope), 380–381

Gregory IX (pope), 307, 326, 328–329, 527n63

Grimm, Jacob and Grimm’s law, 451n27

Grumbates (Kidarites), 159–161

Guangwu (Han emperor), 110, 111

gunpowder, 320, 410

Gupta Empire, 63, 125–129, 156, 166–167

Güyük (Mongol Empire), 316–317, 319, 324, 327, 332–333, 370–372

H

Hadrian (Roman Empire), 140

Hagia Sophia, 198, 204, 212, 213

al-Hakim (Fatimid caliph), 257, 513n46

Han dynasty

barbarians during, 27

Buddhism and, 145

burial practices, 91

Confuciansim and, 95, 100, 145

diplomatic exchanges with, 16

end of, 148

fragmentation of, 116

Kushan Empire and, 121

Mandate of Heaven and, 95, 100

military in, 82, 92, 98, 104–107, 471n35

population during, 95, 468n22

Roman Empire and, 115–116

scope of territory controlled by, 114

trade and, 49, 51, 105, 111, 112

treaty with Modu Chanyu, 96–97, 101

Xiongnu and, 105–113, 116

Yellow Turbans Rebellion against, 147

harems, 66, 86, 190, 207, 210, 228, 277, 288, 348, 399

Harshavardhana (Kushan Empire), 126–127

Harun al-Rashid (Abbasid caliph), 245, 514n54

Hedin, Sven, 23, 449n5

He (Han emperor), 112–114

Henry II (England), 265

Hephthalites, 61, 157–159, 161–164, 167–168, 218, 409

Heraclius (Byzantine Empire), 197–198, 202–203, 206, 235, 494n5, 496n28

Heraeus (Kushan Empire), 119–120

Herodotus, 44, 49, 62–64, 66–69, 71–74, 86, 453n49

Herulians, 17, 20, 173

Hinduism. See also caste system

deities in, 55, 57, 122

in India, 125–126, 166, 167, 261, 400

nationalism and, 128, 253

Rig-Vedas and, 37–39, 55–58, 124

Hittites, 25–26, 28, 30–32, 35, 38–39, 56

Hojo Tokimune (Japan), 352–353

holy war. See jihad

Hongwu (Ming dynasty), 363, 395, 406, 550n41

Honoria (Roman empress), 15, 16, 20, 189, 191–192, 447n6

Honorius (Roman Empire), 18, 174–177, 188

horse archers

Avar, 200

Cimmerian, 40–41

clothing worn by, 84

Hephthalite, 409

Hun, 17–19, 159, 181, 186, 191

Khazar, 206, 207

Khitan, 272–273, 277, 278

Kushan, 409

Mongol, 295, 349

Northern Wei, 152, 155, 409

Parthian, 130, 133, 137, 141, 409

Scythian, 39, 63, 65, 70, 80, 84

strategies for defeating, 78, 81–82

of Tamerlane, 388, 395, 404, 407

Turkish, 221–222, 229, 234–236, 252–255, 305

Uyghur, 229–230

Xiongnu, 95, 98, 106

horses. See also chariots; horse archers

body armor for, 84

breeding, 31, 36, 62, 107–108, 221, 249

domesticated, 28, 36, 54, 55, 62

sacrifice of, 37, 54, 62–63, 71–73, 251

as source of wealth, 47

trade and, 27, 31, 36–37, 49, 51, 96, 105, 236

warhorses, 38, 63–64

Hou Hanshu, 113, 115, 137

Hua Mulan, 150, 481n34

Hugh (Bishop of Jabala), 264–265, 267

Huhanye Chanyu (Xiongnu), 109–110

Huizong (Song emperor), 273, 274, 351

Hulagu (Mongol Empire), 311, 330–332, 337–342, 344, 348

Hulugu Chanyu (Xiongnu), 108, 109

Huns. See also Hephthalites; specific rulers

Alans and, 19, 169, 172, 173, 189–191

Alchon Huns, 164–167

animism of, 166, 172

Byzantine Empire and, 175, 177, 180, 185–188

confederation of, 174, 180–182, 184, 185

dietary habits of, 48

Franks and, 19, 190, 191

historical views of, 21

horse archers of, 17–19, 159, 181, 186, 191

Kidarites, 151, 159–162, 164–165

migration of, 172–173

Nezak Huns, 164, 167

physical appearance of, 170

Roman Empire and, 168, 170, 175–176, 186–191

Visigoths and, 19, 174, 175, 190, 191

Huo Qubing, 106, 107

Hypatian Codex, 532n41

I

Ibn Fadlan, 21, 45, 88–89, 210, 244, 250–251

Ibn Khaldun, 390, 403

Ichise Chanyu (Xiongnu), 106, 109

Igor of Novgorod-Seversk, 214, 500n76

Ildico (wife of Attila the Hun), 20, 448n17

Illig Kaghan (Gök Turks), 224–226

Ilterish Kaghan (Gök Turks), 228

India. See also Gupta Empire; Kushan Empire; Mauryan Empire

Buddhism in, 121, 125–127, 164, 166

Delhi sultanate of, 400–401, 406

Hinduism in, 125–126, 166, 167, 261, 400

Huns in, 164–167

Islam in, 253, 261, 400

Indo-European languages

Centum family of, 25, 32–35

origins and dispersal of, 23, 25, 42

PIE, 27–29, 32–34, 54, 55, 451n23

Satem family of, 25, 32–36

Indo-Iranian languages, 32, 34, 36–37, 54, 63, 66

Innocent IV (pope), 44, 329, 336, 365–367, 369, 371–372

Irene of Khazaria, 207–208

Ishtemi Kaghan (Gök Turks), 168, 198, 205, 217–218, 222

Isidore of Charax, 133, 457n21

Islam and Muslims. See also Crusades; Muhammad; Shi’a Islam; Sunni Islam

astrology and, 55

Bulgars and, 88, 213, 244, 510n55

Byzantine Empire and, 206–207, 234, 237

Christian conversion to, 259–261, 311

fundamentalist, 129

Genghis Khan and, 290

in India, 253, 261, 400

Khazars and, 206–207

Koran and, 88–89, 267, 278, 311

Kublai Khan and, 361

in national Turkish identity, 61–62, 240

Oghuz Turks and, 219, 244, 250

Seljuk Turks and, 247, 252

trade and, 241, 242

Ivan IV, the Terrible (Russia), 322–323, 400

J

al-Jahiz, 221–222

Jalal al-Din, 310, 335–336

Jamasp (Sassanid Empire), 163

Jamuka, 284–287, 291

Japan, invasions by Kublai Khan, 352–354

Jebe, 291, 299, 302, 305–306, 309, 314–315

Jelme, 284, 287, 291, 299

Jews and Judaism, 59, 61, 87–88, 135, 208–209

Jia Sidao, 349, 351, 540n35

jihad, 237, 239, 243, 245, 248, 253, 256, 263, 398–401

Jin dynasty, 273–275, 282, 285, 297, 299–304, 317, 409

Jiyu Chanyu (Xiongnu), 99, 118

Jochi, 308, 312–313, 315, 360

John Tzimisces (Byzantine Empire), 210, 212, 498n44

Jones, William, 25

Jordanes, 170

Josephus, Flavius, 77, 87

Judaism. See Jews and Judaism

Jurchen Chanyu (Xiongnu), 103–105

Jurchens, 273–276, 282, 300, 302–304, 348–349, 352–353

Justin II (Byzantine Empire), 199, 205, 218

Justinian (Byzantine Empire), 179, 198–199

Justinian II (Byzantine Empire), 207

Juvayni, Atâ-Malek, 277, 284, 296, 306, 312

K

Kaidu Khan (Mongol Empire), 64, 349, 356–357, 384

Kanishka I (Kushan Empire), 116, 120–127, 129, 459n56

Karakhanids, 245, 252–254, 267, 276

Karakhitans, 276–279, 285, 286, 296, 304–307, 309

Karluks, 236, 238–240, 242, 245, 277, 335

al-Kashgari, Mahmud ibn Hussayn, 246–247

Kavad (Sassanid Empire), 61, 158, 162–163

Kavad II (Sassanid Empire), 494n5

Keraits, 282, 284–286, 316, 523n52

Khazars, 61, 206–209, 214, 220

Khingila (Alchon Huns), 165

Khitans. See also Karakhitans; specific rulers

animism and, 278

Buddhism and, 267, 270

China and, 268–273

horse archers of, 272–273, 277, 278

Jurchens and, 273–276

Mongols and, 288, 300, 302, 303, 305, 308, 316

Seljuk Turks and, 267, 277, 278

trade and, 267

Uyghurs and, 269, 518n28

Khusrau I (Sassanid Empire), 164, 168, 199, 218

Khusrau II (Sassanid Empire), 157, 197, 201–202, 223, 235, 483n3, 494n5, 504n31

Khutulun (Mongol princess), 64

Kidarites, 151, 159–162, 164–165

Kipchak Turks, 59, 214, 219, 307, 318–319, 341, 367, 399–400

Kitbuka, 337, 339–342

Koran, 88–89, 267, 278, 311

Korea and Koreans, 96, 112, 152, 226–228, 352–353

Krum (Bulgars), 203

Kublai Khan (Mongol Empire)

capital cities built by, 358–360

death of, 363

election as Great Khan, 340, 342, 347

on hereditary succession, 357–358

imperial administration by, 360–361

imperial army of, 344, 349–350

legacy of, 343, 356, 409

Mandate of Heaven and, 344–345, 351

military conquests of, 327, 345–355

Northern Wei as influence on, 155

peace imposed by, 378

Polo family and, 380, 381, 384–385

religious tolerance by, 361–362

on script for Mongol language, 231, 281, 362, 521n5

summer palace of, 303, 343, 358–359, 364

unification of China under, 343, 344

Kuchlug (Naimans), 286, 305–306

Kujula Kadphises (Kushan Empire), 120

Kül Tegin (Gök Turks), 228

Kushan Empire. See also specific rulers

arts in, 125, 126

Buddhism in, 118, 122–129

decline and partitioning of, 128

Han dynasty and, 121

horse archers of, 409

Mandate of Heaven and, 114, 118, 121, 128

missionaries from, 60

Silk Road and, 118, 122, 126, 127

trade and, 49, 118, 128

Kyrgyz Turks, 217, 222, 233, 269, 304

L

Leo I (pope), 19, 191, 193–194

Leo III (Byzantine Empire), 207

Leo VI (Byzantine Empire), 204

Leo the Deacon, 210–211

Li Guangli, 107–108, 470n19

Liang dynasty, 268

Liao dynasty, 269–273, 275–278, 305

Ling (Han emperor), 147

Liu Bingzhong, 357–358

Liu Cheng, 350

Lizong (Song emperor), 304, 317

loan words, 25, 33, 37, 52, 246

Lombards, 192, 199–200, 328–329

Longjumeau, André de, 372–373

Louis VII (France), 265

Louis IX (France), 329, 332, 336, 341, 372–374, 377–378

Louis the Pious (Holy Roman Emperor), 121–122, 235, 507n4

Lucius Verus (Roman Empire), 140–141

Luvian language, 25–26, 30–32

M

Macedonians, 35, 41, 78, 80–86, 124, 453n49

Macrinus (Roman Empire), 142

Magyars, 184, 200, 202, 204–205, 209, 214

Mahabharata (Indian epic), 167

Mahayana Buddhism, 59–60, 123, 146

al-Mahdi (Fatimid caliph), 256

Mahmud (Ghaznavids), 253–254

Mamluks

Abbasid Caliphate and, 241, 242

Berke’s alliance with, 331

Ghaznavids and, 252–253

Mongol Empire and, 340–342

from slave markets, 323

Tamerlane and, 399, 402, 403, 405, 409

Mandate of Heaven

Han dynasty and, 95, 100

Jin dynasty and, 149

Khazars and, 207

Kublai Khan and, 344–345, 351

Kushan Empire and, 114, 118, 121, 128

Northern Wei dynasty and, 153

Qin dynasty and, 90, 92

Song dynasty and, 272

Tang dynasty and, 58

Xiongnu and, 101

Mandeville, John, 385, 548n118

Mani (prophet), 231–233

Manichaeism, 22, 59–61, 135, 172, 230–233, 237, 278, 506n76

Mani Codex, 231, 460n59

al-Mansur (Abbasid caliph), 238–239

Manuel II (Byzantine Empire), 404

Manuel Comnenus (Byzantine Empire), 265

Marcian (Byzantine Empire), 15, 18–20, 188, 192, 491n26

Marcus Aurelius (Roman Empire), 77, 140–141, 463n38

Marlowe, Christopher, 389

Marwan II (Umayyad caliph), 238

Massagetae, 40, 66–67, 69

Masud (Ghaznavids), 254–255

Maurice Tiberius (Byzantine Empire), 157, 199, 201–202, 223, 483n3, 504n31

Mauryan Empire, 38, 60, 83, 120–122, 128, 166. See also specific rulers

Maximinus Thrax, 17, 448n9

Maykop culture, 30

Mazdakites, 162–163

Medes, 42, 66

Mehmet I (Ottoman Empire), 391

Mehmet II (Ottoman Empire), 179

Meng Tian, 91–93

Mengu-Timur (Mongol Empire), 356

Merkits, 282, 284–287, 304

Michael I (Byzantine Empire), 203

Michael VII Ducas (Byzantine Empire), 262

Mihirakula (Alchon Huns), 166

Ming dynasty, 91, 145, 240, 363, 393, 395, 406–407

missionaries

Buddhist, 59–60, 122, 123, 220, 457n28

Byzantine, 204, 213, 214

Franciscan, 334, 366

Manichaean, 60–61, 231, 233

Nestorian, 59, 61

on Silk Road, 59–61, 118, 122

Zoroastrian, 59, 60

Mitanni kingdom, 38–39

Mithridates I (Parthian Empire), 131

Mithridates II (Parthian Empire), 132–136

Mithridates VI Eupator (Pontus), 76

Modu Chanyu (Xiongnu), 20, 52, 93–102, 118, 457n28

Möngke (Mongol Empire)

death of, 340, 346, 347

education of, 316

election as Great Khan, 332, 333

military conquests of, 327, 334–335, 337, 345–346

peace imposed by, 378

in western campaign, 319

William of Rubruck and, 376, 377

Mongol Empire. See also specific rulers and peoples

ancestral history of, 53

Carpine and, 44, 48–49, 318, 327, 365–371, 375

civil war in, 346–348, 356

disintegration of, 331–332, 395

honoring of dead by, 63

horse archers of, 295, 349

language of, 281

legacy of, 410

lifestyle of, 44, 48–49, 281–282

military of, 98, 286, 292–293, 298–304, 308, 344, 349–351

papal envoys to, 318, 329, 366–372, 378, 381

rebellions in, 304

religion and, 54, 58, 61

Russia and, 314–315, 317–323

sack of Baghdad by, 330–332, 338–339, 403

Song dynasty and, 285, 304, 317–318, 327, 335, 344–351

succession crises in, 327, 342, 346

trade and, 52, 299, 316, 347, 378–379

Uyghur influences on, 231

western campaign of, 48, 315, 317–329

William of Rubruck on, 45, 48, 332–334, 336, 366, 373–377

yassa (law code) of, 281, 290, 316

Mongolian language, 40, 53, 231, 281, 362, 381, 382

Monophysites, 202

monotheism, 54, 59–61, 213, 233, 361, 410

Montecorvino, Giovanni da, 378

Mstislav the Bold (Russian prince), 314–315

Muawiya (Umayyad caliph), 237

Muhammad (prophet), 118, 215, 236–237, 243, 250, 290, 338. See also Islam and Muslims

Muhammad (shah of Khwarazm), 295, 297, 305–310, 312, 527nn59–61

al-Muqtadir (Abbasid caliph), 88, 244

Murad II (Ottoman Empire), 406

Musa Urania, 137–138

Muslims. See Islam and Muslims

al-Mutamid (Abbasid caliph), 245

al-Mu’tasim (Abbasid caliph), 234–235, 241, 330–331, 338–339

al-Mutawakkil (Abbasid caliph), 241

Mutugen, 293, 309

N

Naimans, 282, 285, 286, 291, 305, 306, 337

Napoleon Bonaparte, 69, 80, 122, 298

Neo-Confucianism, 268, 271–272, 361

Nero (Roman Empire), 87, 139

Neshites. See Hittites

Nestorian Christianity

Genghis Khan and, 289–290

Keraits and, 523n52

Kublai Khan and, 361

missionaries and, 59, 61

Prester John and, 267

sack of Baghdad and, 331

Uyghurs and, 230

William of Rubruck on, 377

Neuville, Alphonse de, 194

New Rome. See Constantinople

Nezak Huns, 164, 167

Nicephorus I (Byzantine Empire), 203

Nicholas IV (pope), 378

Northern Wei dynasty. See also specific rulers

Buddhism and, 144–147, 153, 155

Confuciansim and, 145, 152–154

Daoism and, 145, 147

establishment of, 148, 149

female warriors of, 150

Huns and, 164–166

Mandate of Heaven and, 153

military in, 152–153, 155

Rourans and, 150–152, 154–156

O

Octar (Huns), 180, 181

Odoacer, 192–193

Ögedei (Mongol Empire)

criticisms of, 317

death of, 326, 332

imperial administration by, 315–316

Jalal al-Din and, 335

military conquests of, 308, 313, 318

peace imposed by, 311, 316

strategic vision of, 297, 317

Sübetei as general under, 292

as successor to Genghis Khan, 312, 313

on western campaign, 315, 318–319

Oghuz Turks, 51, 219, 236, 242, 244, 249–252, 254, 510n57

Olympiodorus of Thebes, 180

Omurtag (Bulgars), 203

Öngüt Turks, 302

Orda, 318–319, 323, 324

Orestes, 99, 186, 193, 487n20

Orkhon inscriptions, 21, 49, 58, 63–64, 216, 218–220, 222, 226, 318

Orthodox Christianity, 204, 208, 209, 213, 214, 259

Osroes I (Parthian Empire), 139–140, 142

Ostrogoths, 17, 173, 179, 190–192

Ottoman Empire. See also specific rulers

Attila the Hun and, 193

civil war in, 406

Constantinople and, 143, 179, 404

emergence of, 336

language of, 220

Tamerlane and, 402, 404–406, 409

Otto the Great (Holy Roman Emperor), 205

P

Palaic language, 25–26, 30–32

Paris, Matthew, 322

Parthian Empire

Arsacid dynasty of, 114, 131, 134–143

horse archers of, 130, 133, 137, 141, 409

religious diversity in, 135

Roman Empire and, 130–131, 136–143

Sassanid Empire and, 128, 142

Silk Road and, 133

trade and, 49, 115, 127

pastoralism, 29, 30, 33, 42, 82

Pechenegs, 204, 209, 212–214, 219, 248, 262–263, 498n41

Peroz (Sassanid Empire), 157–159, 162, 164, 165, 482n1

Persian Empire. See also Achaemenid dynasty; Parthian Empire; Sassanid Empire; specific rulers

Alexander the Great and, 79–80, 85–86

Ionian revolt against, 68

Safavid dynasty of, 143, 409

Scythians and, 65–69, 75

Persian language, 38, 246, 379, 381

Pharasmanes (Scythian king), 85

Phocas, 201–202

Phraates II (Parthian Empire), 132

Phraates IV (Parthian Empire), 137

Phraates V (Parthian Empire), 137–138

PIE languages. See Proto-Indo-European languages

Polo, Marco

Book of the Marvels of the World, 365, 366, 382–386

on fact-finding missions, 354–355, 384

on Kublai Khan, 343–345, 361, 365

languages spoken by, 381

on Mongol sack of Baghdad, 330–331

on Shangdu and Dadu, 358, 359, 364, 383

Silk Road travels of, 382–383

Polo, Niccolo and Maffeo, 379–382

popes. See specific popes

Prester John, 264–267, 275, 278–279, 311–312, 383

Priscus, 18, 181–184, 193–194, 490n3

Procopius, 158, 161, 189

Proto-Indo-European (PIE) languages, 27–29, 32–34, 54, 55, 451n23

Q

Qibi Hebei, 225–226

Qiedi Chanyu (Xiongnu), 108, 109

Qin Shi Huang (Qin emperor), 90–95, 99, 100, 151, 467n12

Qiu Chuji, 289

Qutlugh Bilğe Köl (Uyghurs), 229, 230

Qutuz (Mamluk sultan), 340–342

R

Rashid al-Din, 284, 306, 312

Rashidun caliphs, 237

Ravenna, 15, 18–19, 175, 180, 188, 196

religion. See also missionaries; shamans; specific religions

animism, 166, 172, 278, 362

cosmic battle myths in, 56–57

deities in, 29, 37, 54–59, 122

fundamental beliefs, 54

monotheistic, 54, 59–61, 213, 233, 361, 410

Rhodogune, 132

Rig-Vedas (Hindu text), 37–39, 55–58, 124

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 148

Roman Empire. See also Byzantine Empire; specific rulers

Alans and, 77–78

China compared to, 101

decline of, 172, 176, 192–194, 409

Goths and, 148, 170, 171, 174–176

Han dynasty and, 115–116

Huns and, 168, 170, 175–176, 86–191

Parthian Empire and, 130–131, 136–143

Sassanids and, 142, 167–168

Scythians and, 74, 76–77

trade and, 49, 115, 127–128, 457n21

Romanus Diogenes (Byzantine Empire), 248–249, 258, 261–262

Romulus Augustulus (Roman Empire), 99, 193, 487n20

Rourans, 150–152, 154–156, 164, 198, 217–218

Rugila (Huns), 180–181, 184, 185, 187, 189

Rumi, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad, 260–261, 311, 529n86

Runciman, Steven, 262

Rus, 209–213, 241, 244, 250, 507n4

Russia. See also specific rulers

Byzantine culture in, 213

foreign policy of, 204

frontier wars and, 213–214

Jewish communities in, 209

Mongol Empire and, 314–315, 317–323

Napoleon’s invasion of, 69

S

Safavids, 143, 409

al-Saffah (Abbasid caliph), 238–240

Saladin, 266, 341

Samanids, 242, 244–246, 250–254, 296

Sanjar (Seljuk Turks), 267, 276–278

Sanskrit language, 22, 25, 34, 37–39, 57–59, 123–124

Saracens, 264, 279, 328

Sarmatians, 69, 75–77, 84, 87, 98, 100–101, 171

Sartaq, 373–375

Sassanid Empire. See also specific rulers

Byzantine Empire and, 197–199, 201–202

Gök Turks and, 168, 218

Great Wall of Gorgan built by, 164

Hephthalites and, 157–158, 161–164, 167–168, 218

Kidarites and, 159–162

Manichaeism in, 60, 231

Parthian Empire and, 128, 142

Roman Empire and, 142, 167–168

Zoroastrianism in, 60, 128, 129, 136, 142, 162–163

Satem languages, 25, 32–36

Satuk Bughra Khan, 244–245

Scylas (Scythian king), 74–75

Scythians. See also specific rulers

Alexander the Great and, 79, 80, 82, 85–86, 89

burial practices, 63, 71–73

confederation of, 39–40, 74–76

female warriors, 64, 66, 73

horse archers of, 39, 63, 65, 70, 80, 84

migration of, 44, 75

Persian Empire and, 65–69, 75

physical appearance of, 69–70

trade and, 70–71, 74, 80, 82–84, 89

tribute exacted by, 49, 70–71

Sebüktigin (Ghaznavids), 253

Secret History of the Mongols, 21, 53, 58, 281–287, 291, 312, 316

Seleucid Empire, 83, 131–134

Seljuk Turks. See also specific rulers

assimilation of conquered peoples by, 261

Byzantine Empire and, 215, 248–249, 257–259

civil war and, 326

Ghaznavids and, 254–255

Hittites compared to, 31

Islam and, 247, 252

Jalal al-Din and, 335

Khitans and, 267, 277, 278

language of, 219

migration of, 162, 251

Septimius Severus (Roman Empire), 141, 142

Severus III (Roman Empire), 192

Shah-nameh (Book of Kings), 246

shamans

ancestral history of, 58–59

animism and, 166, 172

charred bones read by, 58, 190, 289

divination by, 73, 100

Islam and, 243–244

as mentors, 62, 244

trances of, 251, 280, 297

Shang dynasty, 36, 100, 472n6

Shapur I (Sassanid Empire), 128, 232

Shapur II (Sassanid Empire), 158–161

She Le Chanyu (Xiongnu), 148

Shi’a Islam

Assassin sect of, 337–338

Buyid emirs and, 255

hidden imams and, 241, 256

mystics and, 239

Safavids and, 409

split with Sunni Islam, 237

Turkmen tribes and, 397

Shizu. See Kublai Khan

Silk Road

caravan cities on, 46, 47, 59–61, 127, 227

cave monasteries on, 127, 144

eastern extension of, 50

Gök Turks and, 218

Hephthalites and, 163–164

Kushan Empire and, 118, 122, 126, 127

missionaries on, 59–61, 118, 122

Mongol Empire and, 297, 316, 335

nomadic peoples and, 49–52

origins of term, 23

Parthian Empire and, 133

Polo family travels on, 382–383

prosperity due to, 82

Sogdian as lingua franca of, 22, 232

western extension of, 89

Sima Chi (Jin emperor), 148

Sima Qian, 90, 94, 104

Sima Rui (Jin emperor), 148

Sima Yan (Jin emperor), 148

Sintashta culture, 36, 37, 62

slave trade, 37, 50–51, 70, 241–242, 249–250, 356, 457n26

Song dynasty

bureaucratic organization of, 101

Confuciansim and, 348

military in, 82, 272–274, 349

Mongol Empire and, 285, 304, 317–318, 327, 335, 344–351

Neo-Confucianism in, 271–272

Son of Heaven. See Mandate of Heaven

Southeast Asia, invasions by Kublai Khan, 354–355

Stalin, Joseph, 292, 524n64

Stein, Aurel, 22–24, 26, 107, 146, 148, 227

steppe nomads. See also religion; trade; specific peoples

clothing worn by, 26, 45

cranial deformity ritual of, 120, 165, 181

dietary habits of, 48–49

distributed survival strategy of, 52–53

in global economy, 84, 386, 410

language preservation by, 53

migration of, 27–36, 39–42, 44–48, 52

pastoralism of, 29, 30, 33, 42, 82

stereotypes of, 21, 49, 86–89

tribal warfare and, 64, 203, 240, 242, 282

Stilicho, 174–177, 182, 188

Strabo of Amasia, 127–128

Sübetei, 287, 291–292, 299, 309, 314–315, 318–320, 323–324, 524n66

Sufis, 62, 220, 243–245, 260, 290, 296

Sui dynasty, 150, 155, 223–224

Suluk (Turgesh Turks), 238

Sunni Islam

Abbasid Caliphate and, 242, 247, 255, 307, 330, 338

Cairo as new capital of, 342, 409

Fatimid Caliphate and, 256

Genghis Khan on, 290

Ghaznavids and, 253

split with Shi’a Islam, 237

Vladimir of Kiev and, 213

Surena, 130, 131

Suzong (Tang emperor), 229, 231, 506n68

Sviatoslav of Kiev, 210–212

Symeon of Bulgaria, 204, 497n38, 498n41

T

Tacitus, 76, 139

Taiwu (Northern Wei emperor), 144, 145, 152, 479n5

Taizong (Tang emperor), 64, 117, 126–127, 206, 216, 222, 226–227

Taizu (Jin emperor), 273

Taizu (Liang emperor), 268

Taizu (Liao emperor), 265–270, 518n31

Taizu (Song emperor), 271, 272

Taliban, 129, 396, 475n50

Tamerlane

army of, 395–396, 405

astrologers consulted by, 55,395, 401

charismatic leadership of, 394

death of, 407

as emir of Barlas tribes, 393

European views of, 388–390

family background, 391–392

Golden Horde invaded by, 48

Islamic accounts of, 390–391

legacy of, 407–409

military conquests of, 396–407

mixed ancestry of, 387–388

Tang dynasty

Abbasid Caliphate and, 239–240

An Lushan Rebellion against, 229, 240

barbarians during, 27

Buddhism and, 224, 233

bureaucratic organization of, 101

Confuciansim and, 224, 226, 227

Gök Turks and, 117, 206, 216–217, 222, 224–228

Mandate of Heaven and, 58

military in, 82, 224

Northern Wei as influence on, 150

Tibetans and, 227, 228, 236

trade and, 50, 227

Uyghurs and, 229–231, 233, 506n68

tantric Buddhism, 345–346

Tardu Kaghan (Gök Turks), 205–206, 223, 503n30

Tarim Mummies, 22–23, 26–27, 40, 69, 165

Tatars (Tartars), 275, 282–285, 315, 322, 373, 387, 400

Tayichiuds, 280, 282, 283

Temujin. See Genghis Khan

Temür Khan (Mongol Empire), 357, 358, 378

Than, Mor, 184

Theoderic (Visigoths), 190, 191

Theodosian walls, 157, 177–179, 187, 197, 202, 212, 404

Theodosius I (Byzantine Empire), 17–18, 157, 167, 171, 174

Theodosius II (Byzantine Empire), 177, 179–180, 183, 186–188, 491n17

Theophilus (Byzantine Empire), 203, 234–235, 241, 334

Tianzuo (Liao emperor), 273–275

Tiberius Constantine (Byzantine Empire), 199, 205

Tibet and Tibetans, 227, 228, 236, 362

Tigranes the Great (Armenia), 138

Timur. See Tamerlane

Tiridates (Armenia), 139

Tocharian languages

Afanasievo culture and, 32, 36

Buddhist texts in, 22, 24, 27, 32, 59, 124, 146

Indo-European origins of, 24–25, 27, 28

Tarim Mummies and, 22, 27

Toghrul Khan (Keraits), 284–286

Tokhtamysh, 387, 397–399, 406, 551n63

Tokuchar, 293, 309

Tolui, 295, 302, 308–309, 312–313, 332, 360

Tomyris (Massagetae queen), 66, 67

Tonyukuk, 228

Toramana (Alchon Huns), 166

Touman Chanyu, 94

trade. See also Silk Road

Buddhism and, 145, 146

caravan, 50–52, 98, 109

Han dynasty and, 49, 51, 105, 111

horses and, 27, 31, 36–37, 49, 51, 96, 105, 236

Khazars and, 208–209

Khitans and, 267

Kushan Empire and, 49, 118, 128

Mongol Empire and, 52, 299, 316, 347, 378–379

Muslims and, 241, 242

Parthian Empire and, 49, 115, 127

Roman Empire and, 49, 115, 127–128, 457n21

Rus and, 209–210

Scythians and, 70–71, 74, 80, 82–84, 89

slave, 37, 50–51, 70, 241–242, 249–250, 356, 457n26

Tang dynasty and, 50, 227

Xiongnu and, 96, 98, 111

Trajan (Roman Empire), 116, 138–142, 478n48

tribal warfare, 64, 203, 240, 242, 282

Tripolye culture, 30, 31

Tughrul Bey (Seljuk Turks), 254–257, 409

Tukhachevsky, Mikhail Nikolayevich, 292, 524n65

Tuoba Gui. See Daowu

Tuoba Tao. See Taiwu

Turgesh Turks, 238, 242

Turkish language. See also Orkhon inscriptions

al-Kashgari’s dictionary of, 246

as language of commerce, 51

Mongol warriors and, 281

Nestorian scriptures translated to, 61

Polo’s learning of, 381, 382

runic alphabet and, 457–458n28

Turks. See also specific peoples

ancestral history of, 53

deities of, 54, 58

horse archers of, 221–222, 229, 234–236, 252–255, 305

intertribal warfare among, 240, 242

lifestyle of, 48, 49

trade and, 51, 52

wolf as totem of, 218

U

Uldin (Huns), 174–177, 180

Umar (Rashidun caliph), 237

Umayyad Caliphate, 236–239, 403

Urban II (pope), 263

Uthman (Rashidun caliph), 237

Uyghurs

Buddhism and, 230, 233

horse archers of, 229–230

Islam and, 219

Khitans and, 269, 518n28

Kyrgyz Turks and, 222, 269

Manichaeism and, 61, 230, 231, 233, 506n76

Mongols and, 288, 300, 305, 308, 316

nationalism and, 22–23, 26, 113

Nestorian Christianity and, 230

Tang dynasty and, 229–231, 233, 506n68

V

Valens (Byzantine Empire), 170, 171

Valentinian III (Roman Empire), 15, 18–19, 184, 186, 188–189, 191–192

Valkash (Sassanid Empire), 162

Vandals, 19, 174–176, 179, 182, 187, 192–193

Vasudeva I (Kushan Empire), 125, 128

Vespasian (Roman Empire), 87

Vima Taktu (Kushan Empire), 114, 120

Vincent of Beauvais, 366, 372

Visigoths. See also specific rulers

Huns and, 19, 174, 175, 190, 191

religious persecution by, 193

Roman Empire and, 148, 175, 176

Vitry, Jacques de, 279, 311

Vladimir of Kiev, 212–213, 510n55

Vologases I (Parthian Empire), 139

Vologases IV (Parthian Empire), 140–141

Vologases V (Parthian Empire), 142

Vologases VI (Parthian Empire), 142

W

Wang Hui, 104, 105

Wang Mang, 110–111, 154

Wanyan Aguda (Jurchens), 273–274

War of the Armenian Succession, 139

Warring States period, 40, 90, 146, 148, 149, 233

Wei Qing, 82, 106

Wen (Han emperor), 99, 104, 112

Wen (Sui emperor), 155, 223–224

Wencheng (Northern Wei emperor), 144–147, 153, 155

Western Roman Empire. See Roman Empire

wheeled vehicles, 31, 36, 44, 62–63, 410. See also chariots

Whirling Dervishes, 260, 311

White Huns. See Hephthalites

Wilhelm II (Germany), 194–195

William of Rubruck, 45, 48, 332–334, 336, 366, 373–378

women. See also harems; specific individuals

Oghuz Turk, 251

Scythian, 64, 66, 73, 85

as warriors, 64, 66, 86, 132, 150, 356

The Wonders of Destiny of the Ravages of Timur (Arabshah), 391

Wu Zetian (Chinese empress), 227–228, 235

Wudi (Han emperor), 102–109, 112, 119, 134, 409

Wuzong (Tang emperor), 233, 506n76

X

Xanadu, 135, 303, 343, 358, 364, 385, 386

Xianbei, 145, 149–150, 153, 154, 479n4

Xianwen (Northern Wei emperor), 153

Xiaowen (Chinese empress), 112–113

Xiaowen (Northern Wei emperor), 153–154

Xiaozong (Song emperor), 348

Xingsheng (Jin emperor), 300–302

Xiongnu. See also specific rulers

civil wars among, 109, 111

confederation of, 40, 58, 93, 97, 109

diplomatic protocol of, 16, 447n3

empire of, 93–95, 98–102

Han dynasty and, 105–113, 116

horse archers of, 95, 98, 106

language of, 97–98

Mandate of Heaven and, 101

military power of, 92, 95, 98

trade and, 96, 98, 111

Zhang Qian on, 21

Xi Xia, 271, 275, 299–301, 310, 317, 362

Xuan (Han emperor), 108, 110

Xuanzang, 24, 117–118, 122–129, 146, 166, 217, 309

Xuanzong (Jin emperor), 302–304

Xuanzong (Tang emperor), 228–229, 239, 240

Y

Yamnaya culture, 27–30, 32–34, 49, 55, 58, 62, 70

yassa (Mongol law code), 281, 290, 316

Yazdegerd II (Sassanid Empire), 162

Yazdi, Sharif ad-Din Ali, 390–391, 405

Yellow Turbans Rebellion, 147

Yongle (Ming dynasty), 406, 407

Yuan dynasty, 356, 358, 360–363, 378

Yuezhi, 93, 97, 103–105, 114, 116, 118–119, 132, 472n8

Yuri II (Russian prince), 320, 321

yurts, 44–48, 55, 62, 173, 216, 245, 298, 359

Z

Zanj rebellion, 241, 509n40

Zeno (Byzantine Empire), 157–158, 193, 482n1

Zhang Qian, 21, 103–107, 114, 119

Zhangzong (Jin emperor), 285, 294

Zhao (Han emperor), 108

Zhaozang (Tang emperor), 233

Zhenzong (Song emperor), 273

Zhi Chanyu (Xiongnu), 109–111

Zhilugu (Karakhitans), 285, 304–305

Zhou dynasty, 40, 110, 223, 227

Zihuan (Northern Wei emperor), 148

Zoroaster (prophet), 54–55

Zoroastrianism

Armenian resistance to, 485n48

Avesta and, 37

Mazdakites and, 162–163

missionaries and, 59, 60

monotheism of, 54–55, 60

in Parthian Empire, 135

in Sassanid Empire, 60, 128, 129, 136, 142, 162–163