# The Tartars — The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories character guide

> The Tartars in The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Tartars

**First appearance:** 0036-a-prisoner-in-the-caucasus

## Who they are

The Caucasian tribesmen who capture Zhílin and Kostílin.

## In the story

### [The Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-raid)

The enemy forces. They are seen on horseback with colours, engage in a brief skirmish, and then retreat into the woods.

### [Ermák](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/erm-k)

The indigenous people of the conquered lands. They are fought by the Stroganóv settlers and later by Ermák's forces. They ultimately ambush and kill Ermák.

### [A Prisoner in the Caucasus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/a-prisoner-in-the-caucasus)

The adversarial group that captures and holds Zhílin and Kostílin. They are depicted as warriors and traders in prisoners, with specific characters like the 'red-bearded' Tartar and Abdul's household.

### [After the Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/after-the-dance)

Represented by the unnamed soldier being punished for attempted desertion. He is stripped and beaten through the ranks, his suffering described in graphic, dehumanizing detail.

### [Traveller and Peasant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/traveller-and-peasant)

Referenced indirectly as 'enemies' in the context of war.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/characters/the_tartars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/characters