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Sarmatian culture
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Sarmatism was the cultural formation of a majority of the gentry, a culture of great richness and originality defining the exceptional character of the Commonwealth of Both Nations.
It is far easier to name the various features of this culture than to provide a clear definition of Sarmatism. The name is derived from the ancient warlike tribe of Sarmatians, whom the gentry of the Commonwealth viewed as their ancestors. This deep anchoring in ancient history and the attached set of values combined with a fascination with the world of the Orient to form a unique tapestry of cultures of the West and the East.