De moribus tartarorum, lituanorum et moscorum

De moribus tartarorum, lituanorum et moscorum ("On the Customs of Tatars, Lithuanians and Muscovites"), was a 16th century Latin language treatise by a Michalon Lituanus, dedicated to Sigismund II Augustus. The work survived only in fragments first published in 1615 by Johann Grasser in Basel, Switzerland.^[1]

Author

The identity of the author (also known as Michalon Litwin, Michalon the Lithuanian, Michael the Lithuanian) is not definitely known (by the then traditions, the author's name was given in genitive: "Michalonis Lithuani De moribus tartarorum..."). Lithuanian historian Ignas Jonynas and Russian historian Matvey Lubavsky assumed that he could be Mikhail Tyszkiewicz, Lithuanian envoy to the Crimean Tatars (1537–1539).^[1] Polish historian Jerzy Ochmański proposed that it was Vaclovas Mikalojaitis (ca. 1490 – ca. 1560), who served as a secretary in Grand Duke's chancellery for about 30 years.^[2]

Chronicle

The original date of the treatise is unknown, but estimated to be around 1550. Author's ideas and writing style clearly show influence of humanism.

While the treatise contains historical information, it should be taken cum grano salis: it is neither a chronicle nor a travel book, but rather a political essay which criticizes the Motherland of the author (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) and overly praises both Muscovy and the Crimean Khanate for their centralized governments and united subjects.^[3] The author analyzed reasons behind decreasing Lithuanian power and influence, criticized nobility and high Catholic officials, and advocated for strong centralized government.^[2] He further idealized times of Vytautas the Great when the ruling class did not pursue self-interests and served the state.^[1]

Michalon supported the theory that Lithuanian nation was founded by the Palemonids, a legendary dynasty from the Roman Empire, and proposed to implement Latin as the official language in the Grand Duchy thus returning to forgotten traditions of the ancestors.^[1] As proof of similarity between Lithuanian and Latin, Michalon included a list of 74 words similar in both languages. He also compared ancient Roman traditions with pagan Lithuanian customs.^[1]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Simas Sužiedėlis, ed (1970–1978). "Michalo Lituanus". Encyclopedia Lituanica. III. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 516–517. LCC 74-114275. 
2. ^ ^{a b} (Lithuanian) Jonas Zinkus, et al., ed (1985–1988). "Mykolas Lietuvis". Tarybų Lietuvos enciklopedija. III. Vilnius, Lithuania: Vyriausioji enciklopedijų redakcija. pp. 83. LCC 86232954. 
3. ^ Introduction to the Russian translation: Михалон Литвин. О нравах татар, литовцев и москвитян. Moscow 1994

References

• Lituanus, Michalo (1615). De moribus Tartarorum, Lituanorum et Moschorum. Basileæ. http://books.google.com/books?id=FDwVAAAAQAAJ&dq=Moschorum&pg=PP5#v=onepage&q&f=false.