The Search for the Imaginary Kingdom. The Legend of the State of Presbyter John

This book is a continuation of two earlier works by L.N. Gumilev — "Huns" and "Ancient Turks". It highlights one of the lesser-studied periods in the history of nomadic peoples, revealing the processes that led to the emergence of the... Mongol Empire, as well as the history of the emergence of the "shaker of the universe"Genghis Khan. It concerns the history of the Great Steppe from the disintegration of the Turkic Khaganate in the 8th century to the formation of the Mongol Empire in the first half of the 13th century. All three books make up the "Steppe Trilogy," conceived by the author during his years of study at Leningrad University.At first glance, the book is dedicated to a historical curiosity, namely the fictitious "kingdom of Presbyter John" created by the Templars in Central Asia, the rumor of which reached medieval Europe in the mid-13th century. However, behind this curiosity lay an entire era in the history of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia, full of significant and dramatic events, the consequences of which had a huge impact on the course of world history. These events gave rise to the legend of Presbyter John and his kingdom; they are the subject of research.The author of the preface to L.N. Gumilev's book "The Search for the Imaginary Kingdom. The Legend of the 'State of Presbyter John'" is Professor S.I. Rudenko. The book is equipped with a list of literature, an index of historical figures, an index of researchers and cited authors, an index of geographical names, and an index of ethnonyms.The book is aimed at all readers who love history with its many mysteries and appreciate the author's methods of historical research.