Hudud Al Alam – The Slavs of “The Regions Of The World”

Here is the so-called Anonymous Persian Geography (written about 982 A.D.) which includes a few mentions of the Slavs (this is from the V. V. Minorsky, C. E. Bosworth translation). Also included are some passages about nearby regions (in the pictures). In the East. (You will notice that some of this represents a repetition from earlier Arab sources).

Notice also the references to V.n.nd.r. – a reference to Svaneti? Or the Veneti? Or are these the same? In any event, I include the V. V. Minorsky/C. E. Bosworth commentary on the topic here as well in the back.

35. Discourse on the Provinces of Adharbadhagan, Arminiya, and Arran, and their Towns

These three provinces are adjacent to each other. Their countrysides enter into each other. East of this region are the borders of Gilan; south of it, the borders of Iraq and the Jazira; west of it, the borders of Rum and the Sarir [sic]; north of it, the borders of the Sarir | and the Khazars [spelt : Ghazaran]. These places are the most pleasant among the Islamic lands. The region is very prosperous and pleasant, with running waters and good fruit. It is the abode of merchants, fighters for the faith and strangers coming from all parts. It produces crimson trouser-cords { woollen stuffs, rudina [madder ?], cotton, fish, honey, and wax. There (too) Greek, Armenian, Pecheneg, Khazar, and Slav slaves are brought…

42. Discourse on the Country of Rum, its Provinces and Towns

…Christianized Slavs [al-Saqaliba al-mutanassira], a province of Rum, in which live those Slavs who have become Christians [Saqlabl- yi tarsa gashta]. They pay land-taxes to the king of Rum. They are wealthy [tuvangar] people and their country is pleasant and safe…

43. Discourse on the Slav Country (Saqlab)

East of this country are the Inner Bulghars and some of the Rus; south of it, some parts of the Gurz sea and some parts of Rum; west and north of it everywhere are the deserts of the Uninhabited Lands of the North. This is a vast country with extremely numerous trees growing close together. The people live among the trees and sow nothing except millet. They have no grapes but possess plenty of honey from which they prepare wine and the like. Their vessels [casks] for wine are made of wood, and there are people who annually prepare a hundred of such vessels of wine. They possess herds of swine which are just like herds of sheep. They burn the dead. When a man dies, his wife, if she loves him, kills herself. They all wear shirts and shoes over the ankles. All of them are fire-worshippers. They possess string instruments unknown in the Islamic counties, on which they play. Their arms are shields, javelins and lances. The Slav king is called S.mut-swyt. The food of their kings is milk. The spend the winter in huts and underground dwellings. They possess numerous castles and fortresses. They dress mostly in linen stuffs. They think it their religious duty to serve the king. The possess two towns.

1. Vabnit is the first town on the east of the Slavs and some (of its inhabitants) resemble the Rus.
2. Khurdab, a large town and seat of the king.

44. Discourse on the Rus Country and its Towns

East of this country are the mountains of the Pechenegs; south of it, the river Ruta ; west of it, the Slavs; north of it, the Uninhabited Lands of the North. This is a vast country, and the inhabitants are evil-tempered, intractable, arrogant-looking , quarrelsome, and warlike. They war with all the infidels who live round them, and come out victorious. The king is called Rus-khaqan. It is a country extremely favoured by nature with regard to all the necessities (of life). One group of them practice chivalry. They hold the physicians in respect. They annually pay the tithe on their booty and commercial profits to the government. Among them lives a group of Slavs who serve them. Out of 100 cubits of cotton fabric, more or less, they sew trousers which they put on, tucking them up above the knee. They wear woollen bonnets with tails let down behind their necks. They bury the dead with all their belongings, | clothes, and ornaments. They (also) place in the grave, with the dead, food and drinks.

1. Kuyaba is the town [land?] of the Rus lying nearest to the Islamic lands. It is a pleasant place and is the seat of the king. It produces various furs and valuable swords.
2. S.laba, a pleasant town from which, whenever peace reigns, they go for trade to districts of the Bulghar.
3. Urtab, a town where strangers are killed whenever they visit it. It produces very valuable blades and swords which can be bent in two, but as soon as the hand is removed they return to their former state.

45. Discourse on the Country of the Inner Bulghars

East of it (live) the Mirvat [so spelt]; south of it, is the Gurz Sea; west of it, the Slavs; north of it, the Rus mountain. It is a country without towns. The people are courageous, warlike, and terror-inspiring. Their nature resembles that of the Turks living near the Khazar country. The Inner Bulghars are at war with all the Rus, but carry on commerce with all those who live around them. They possess sheep, arms, and implements of war.