Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition

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Ergenekon
(281 words)

, the name of a plain surrounded by mountains, mentioned in the legend of the origin of the Mongols.

An associated legend in the Chinese Chronicle of Pei-shih (ed. in about 629) explains the origins of the Tʾu-chüeh as follows. This people lived on the shores of the Western Sea, Hsi-hai. They were massacred by a neighbouring people. Only a young boy survived, although wounded. A she-wolf who protected and fed him became pregnant by him. She led him through a grotto to a plain surrounded by mountains. There she gave birth to ten boys who were the ancestors…

Cite this page
Boratav, P.N., “Ergenekon”, in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_2198>
First published online: 2012
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004161214, 1960-2007



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