© koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2018 | doi 10.1163/22127453-12341323 Subutai: Sorting Fact from Fiction Surrounding the Mongol Empire’s Greatest General (With Translations of Subutai’s Two Biographies in the Yuan Shi) Stephen Pow Central European University Pow_Stephen@phd.ceu.edu Jingjing Liao Minzu University of China jingjingbeijing913@hotmail.com Abstract Subutai [Sübe’etei], often referred to as the greatest of the Mongol Empire’s generals, has increasingly become a topic of popular interest. However, the literature about him continues to rely on secondary sources so that popular and scholarly work alike often contains and perpetuates ahistorical statements regarding his origins and his military career. Based on the assumption that many errors have been perpetuated because Chinese source material has not been sufficiently integrated into available Western literature, this paper aims to offer a two-part corrective to the problem. First, an introductory essay will analyze several aspects of Subutai’s life and career that are often misrepresented. Secondly, complete English translations of the two biographies of Subutai found in the 121st and 122nd chapters of the Yuan Shi are provided. Keywords Subutai – Sübe’etei – Mongol Empire – Chinggis Khan – military history – Yuan Dynasty Journal of Chinese Military History 7 (2018) 37-76 brill.com/jcmh