Polovtsian
The Cumans or Kumans, also known as Polovtsy were a nomadic West Turkic tribe living on the north of the
Black Sea along the Volga. They are
identified with the Western branch of the Kipchaks.
They invaded Moldova, Wallachia
and part of Transylvania in the 11th century and from here they continued their plundering of Byzantium, Hungary and Kievan Rus'.
In 1089, they were defeated by Ladislaus I of Hungary, then they were again defeated by the Slavs in the 12th century and crushed by the Tatars in
the 1241. Many took refuge in Hungary and Bulgaria, where they were assimilated. Their name can still be seen in placenames such as the city of Kumanovo in Macedonia and Comana in
Dobrudja. The Cumans from the current Russia joined the khanate of the Golden Horde after which they became
known as Tatars.
In the 13th century, Western Cumans became Catholic Christians, while Eastern assumed Islam. Catholic
"Diocese of the Cumans" included Romania and Bessarabia. This title was kept until 1523.
See also
External links
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