The Mongol Empire between myth and reality : studies in anthropological history / by Denise Aigle.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 331-372) and index.

Part I. The memoria of the Mongols in historical and literary sources -- Mythico-legendary figures and history between east and west -- The Mongols and the legend of Prester John -- The historiographical works of Barhebraus on the Mongol period -- The historical Taqwim in Muslim east -- Part II. Shamanism and Islam -- Shamanism and Islam in Central Asia: two antinomic religious universes? -- The transformation of a myth of origins, Genghis Khan and Timur -- Mongol law versus Islamic law: myth and reality -- Part III. Conquering the world protected by the Tenggeri -- From 'non-negotiation' to an abortive alliance: thoughts on the diplomatic exchanges between the Mongols and the Latin west -- Hulegu's letters to the last Ayyubid ruler of Syria: the construction of a model -- Part IV. Mamluks and Ilkhans: the quest of legitimacy -- Legitimizing a low-born, regicide monarch: Baybars and the Ilkhans -- The written and the spoken word: Baybars and the Caliphal investiture ceremonies in Cairo -- Ghazan Khan's invasion of Syria: polemics on his conversion to Islam and the Christian troops in his army -- A religious response to Ghazan Khan's invasions of Syria: the three "anti-Mongol" fatwas of Ibn Taymiyya -- Epilogue: The Mongol empire after Genghis Khan.