La Steppe et l'Empire allows readers to explore, through more than five centuries, the at times conflictual and at times harmonious relations between a nomadic people and its Chinese neighbour, and to gradually grasp the subtle borderline between a civilised world and its barbarians. This epic journey leads us up to the creation of the Great Central Empire of the Khitan. Although favourable historic circumstances may have contributed to its emergence, it was not the product of a historic coincidence but rather of the political genius of one man: Yelu Abaoji . Heir to a distinguished line of very powerful prime ministers of some sort of pre-Khitan empire, Abaoji believed that he was entrusted with a divine mission and, in a few short years, managed not only to unify his people, the neighbouring tribes and the Chinese populations, but also to found - in heaven's name - a nation which for many years was on intimate terms with the Middle Kingdom.