Ancient writers described the Sarmatians, who are often connected with the Tatars, as brave and powerful horsemen. A Latin historian explained that their courage seemed to exist mainly when they were fighting on horseback. In battle, when they arrived in groups of cavalry, almost no army could stand against them. However, when they were forced to fight on foot, they appeared weak and ineffective.
The writer also noted a strange contrast in their nature. The same men who seemed slow and lazy in quiet times became active and fierce in war. They disliked rest and peace, but they were full of energy in battle. Their strength was closely connected to their horses, and their way of life depended on speed, movement, and constant activity Balkan Tours.
Their Hard and Simple Way of Life
The Tatars lived a very hard life. Their food was simple and often rough. They especially ate horse meat. When a horse died during a march, they did not carefully check whether the animal had been sick, overheated, or exhausted. Instead, they quickly cut the meat and shared it among their companions.
One of their unusual cooking methods was to place the meat under their saddles while riding. During the long ride, the heat of the horse and the rider, along with the movement of the journey, softened and warmed the meat. By the evening, they believed it was ready to eat. What might seem strange to others was considered normal and even suitable for the table of their prince.
In addition to meat, they ate herbs, roots, and wild plants. Much of their food was eaten raw or only slightly prepared. They depended on what the earth naturally provided, without much use of fire or cooking.
Their Strong and Enduring Horses
Just as the men were used to hardship, their horses were also strong and patient animals. The horses could endure hunger, cold, and long journeys. During the severe winters of their homeland, when the ground was covered with deep snow, the horses survived by eating tree bark and any grass they could find under the snow.
These hardy animals were the key to Tatar power. Without their horses, they would not have been able to travel so quickly or fight so effectively.
Villages and Military Organization
The Tatars did not live in large cities. Their towns were more like villages made up of simple huts. These huts were built from sticks and covered with coarse cloth made from animal hair. They were light and easy to construct, fitting their mobile way of life.
It is said that there were as many as two hundred thousand such villages. When war was declared, their custom was to send one man from each village. In this way, they could quickly gather a very large army. Their simple living, strong horses, and organized system allowed them to form powerful forces in a short time.