Tartaria—a name that conjures visions of vast steppes, nomadic warriors, and a lost world shrouded in mystery. In recent years, the phrase “The Last Woman of Tartaria” has sparked curiosity, blending historical fragments with modern myth. At its heart lies the story of Aura Soltana, a young Tatar woman who journeyed from the Caspian shores to the glittering court of Queen Elizabeth I in 16th-century England. Her tale, though grounded in historical records, has been woven into larger narratives—some factual, others fantastical. Let’s explore the truth behind Aura Soltana, the historical Tartary, and the modern conspiracy theories that have adopted her as a symbol.
Who Was Aura Soltana?
In 1558, English explorer Anthony Jenkinson, traveling for the Muscovy Company, encountered the brutal realities of the slave trade in Astrakhan, near the Caspian Sea—a region then considered part of “Tartary.” Among the enslaved was a young Tatar girl, described in chronicles as “a young Tartar whiche he gave to the Queen afterward.” Jenkinson brought her back to England, presenting her to Queen Elizabeth I in 1561. Baptized as Ipolitan the Tartarian (also spelled Ipolita or Ippolyta), she became a unique figure in the Elizabethan court.
Court records paint a vivid picture of her integration. Queen Elizabeth gifted her luxurious items: a gold chain, a gold locket, and clothing like loose gowns of black taffeta and French kirtles in russet and black satin. These gifts, noted in 1561, reflect her status as more than a servant—perhaps a curiosity, a symbol of England’s growing global reach. Yet, after 1569, Aura vanishes from historical records, leaving her fate a mystery. Her story is one of resilience, caught between worlds as Tartary’s nomadic cultures faced decline under Russian and Ottoman expansion.
Tartary: A Land of Myth and Reality
Tartary wasn’t a unified empire but a sweeping European term for a vast, poorly understood region stretching from the Caspian Sea to Siberia and Mongolia. Home to Turkic and Mongol peoples, including the Tatars, it appeared on old maps as “Great Tartary.” By the 16th century, Russian conquests were dismantling Tatar khanates in places like Astrakhan and Kazan, making figures like Aura emblems of a fading way of life.
This historical Tartary contrasts sharply with modern myths. On platforms like Reddit and TikTok, the “Tartarian Empire” is imagined as a lost, advanced civilization with free-energy technology and grand architecture. These claims, part of the “mud flood” conspiracy, suggest a global cover-up erased Tartary’s legacy. But historians debunk this: old maps reflect European ignorance, not a hidden utopia, and supposed Tartarian buildings (like those from 19th-century world’s fairs) are well-documented.
The Myth of the “Last Woman”
Aura Soltana’s story has been swept into this modern mythology. Some call her the “Last Woman of Tartaria,” a poetic nod to her as a survivor of a disappearing culture. Yet, conspiracy circles exaggerate further, misidentifying figures like Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna or Mongolia’s Queen Genepil as “Tartarian queens.” These claims lack evidence, often mixing Russian nationalist pseudohistory (like Anatoly Fomenko’s New Chronology) with anti-establishment fervor.
Could the title also evoke someone else? Queen Tomyris, the ancient Massagetae warrior who defeated Persia’s Cyrus the Great, is sometimes linked to Tartary’s steppe heritage. Or perhaps it’s inspired by poetic works like Walter de la Mare’s Tartary (1913), which romanticizes the region. Regardless, Aura’s documented life—enslaved, gifted, and adorned in Elizabeth’s court—offers a grounded narrative far richer than the myths.
Why Her Story Matters
Aura Soltana wasn’t a queen or a mythical figure, but her journey from Tartary to Tudor England speaks volumes. It highlights the human cost of exploration, the complexities of cultural exchange, and the resilience of those caught in history’s currents. The “Last Woman of Tartaria” may be a romanticized title, but it invites us to explore a real woman’s life and the world she left behind.
Want to dive deeper into Tartary’s history or the myths surrounding it? Let me know, and I’ll uncover more!
