Seydaliev E. Warfare of Pechenegs and Cumans of South Ukrainian steppe in 915-1223.

The history of warfare of Pechenegs and Cumans of Southern Ukraine in X–XIII cc. is reconstructed in the thesis on the basis of complex study and systematization of written, archeological and ethnographical sources. The problems of military and political history of Pechenegs and Cumans in Eastern European steppe since their first arrival till the intrusion of Mongols in Dasht-i-Kipchak are concerned. The history of war conflicts between Nomadic tribes and agricultural states of Eastern Europe in late X – early XIII cc. – princedoms of Old Rus, Hungary, Bulgaria, Byzantine Empire – is briefly presented. The reasons and consequences for the formation of warfare of Nomads and their opponents are traced. The peculiarities of the tactics and strategy of Nomads is analyzed. The question of recruitment of Pechenegs’ and Cumans’ troops, their structure, division by type of units, command structure is concerned. The absence of special units revealed and shows the versatility of each nomadic warrior in preparation for the campaign and participation in military conflicts is shown. The main types of weapons in the complex of Pechenegs and Cumans arms and equipment, peculiarity of their usage are identified and characterized in detail. The attempt of reconstruction of main complex of arms of the Nomads is made and the classification of weapons, horse and rider equipment, aids is introduced. The conclusion presents general considerations on the topic, which point out the actuality of the study of war history of the Nomads of Southern Ukraine as well as Nomadic civilizations of Eurasian steppe in general, meaning of warfare and weapons of Nomads in the general historical process.