TATARS IN THE DANUBE-DNIESTER INTERFLUVE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY
Research objectives: This article offers a critical overview of the political position and destiny of the Tatar lands between the Danube Delta and the Lower Dniester in the timespan between the death of Özbeg (1313-1341), khan of the Golden Horde, and the migrations of the Tatars of Aktau to the Balkans in 1398-1399. Attention is also dedicated to the organization of these territories, their nomadic character, and to the local Tatar leaders: Prince Atlamish, and his successors Demetrius/Temur (Demetrius princeps Tartarorum), Kutlubuga and Hadjibey. The article discusses the relations between the Tatars and the Ottomans during the last two decades of the fourteenth century as well. Research materials: Latin, Slavic, Asian and Greek contemporary sources and archaeological material, related to this region. Results and novelty of the research: The Tatars in the Danube-Dniester interfluve lost their political and military supremacy over the neighboring lands during the age of the so-called Great Turmoil in the Golden Horde. The external pressure from the Hungarian Kingdom, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Principality of Moldavia led to the gradual reduction of their territory to the area that included Budjak (the southwestern tract of Ukraine and south Moldova) and northern Dobrudja. Nonetheless, the Tatars in the West of the Dniester, remained independent and continued to play a significant role in the regional events. There are also indications that they continued to recognize the authority of the khans of the Golden Horde until the end of the fourteenth century. Some of these facts are either unrecognized or neglected in contemporary historical studies.