The article seeks to explore the image of the Great Tartary in Montesquieu’s treatise «The Spirit of Laws» compared with the previous tradition of the Asia region representations in the occidental culture. Since Mongol Wars up to 19 century in Europe dominated a negative perception of the Great Tartary which was no more than an imaginary construct. The article focuses on Montesquieu’s contribution to the «Tatar myth». On the one hand, it provides an overview of sources used by Montesquieu and examines his method of proceeding with the sources. On the other hand, it considers his specific representations of Tatars political institutions, religion and morals in the light of his social and political theory.