Anthropology of supreme authority in Nomadic empires (On Materials of Turkic Khaganates)
The supreme authority in Turkic nomadic empires is studied in the light of the concepts reflected in Orkhon scripts. For convenience we have determined several components of khagan's image (khagan as the creator of empire and a generous redistributor; khagan as a military leader; the role of khagan in sacral sphere; negative characteristics of Turkic rulers). The analysis of the Orkhon scripts showed that the positive image of khagan with all attributes of heroic and glory of Turkic empires rulers directly depended on his personal qualities. It can be generaly explained by absence of the state status of Turkic rulers. In order to reserve his power the khagan should regularly prove his status of lucky and glorious commander, capable to compel China to pay farmings, to present prestigious goods to the aristocracy and tribal chiefs, to care of ordinary nomads, to carry out religious rites. Without a large bureaucracy a nomadic ruler basically relied on concerted forms of interaction with his dependant tribes, since strict forms of submission of other ethnic groups of nomads led to the riots and endangered the existence of the whole empire. Not surprisingly the fall of Turkic khanates was considered as the consequence of the "unwise" khagans' governing.