‘Mongol Warfare between Steppe and Sown’: workshop in Sofia

On May 25th-26th 2017, research associate Dr. Marie Favereau participated in an international workshop organized by Dr. Konstantin Golev (Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” /Comenius University in Bratislava) held at the Center for Advanced Study, in Sofia. The workshop was focused on ‘Mongol Warfare between Steppe and Sown: Military and Cultural Perspectives’. It drew together expert historians of the four Mongol khanates, including Prof. Michal Biran (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) who delivered a keynote lecture on ‘The Chaghadaid Army in Comparative Framework’.

Dr Favereau’s paper on ‘The Golden Horde Economic Warfare’ aimed to demonstrate that the Jochids won more decisive victories on the market field than on the battlefield. In her talk, Dr. Favereau tested her working concept of ‘Mongol economic warfare’ – a concept she develops in the book she is writing within the framework of the Nomadic Empires project.

During May 28th-29th, Dr. Favereau carried out field research in the centre and south of Bulgaria. Dr. Favereau was accompanied by the local medievalist Dr. Konstantin Golev who is a leading expert on the Qipchaqs. They visited several important historical and archaeological sites associated with the events of the Mongol invasion in Europe, including passes in the Central Balkan Mountains and the capital city of medieval Bulgaria, Tarnovo.