The Significance Of Tauria

"Taurus" is a Latin masculine noun meaning "bull." The constellation Taurus gives its name to the Taurian Sector of the Terran Empire. Thus, "Taurian" is an English/Anglic adjective derived from "Taurus." Dominic Flandry refers to the Sector as "Tauria," which must be a back-formation from "Taurian" and would be a feminine noun in Latin.

In "The Warriors from Nowhere," Duke Alfred of Varrak, governor of Tauria, tries to detach the Sector from the Empire. In A Knight Of Ghosts And Shadows, we learn that Alfred, if successful, would have placed Tauria under Merseian protection/possession. After Alfred, whom Chives took the liberty of disintegrating, the Gospodar of Dennitza is made governor of Tauria. 

Might Dennitza want to join the Merseian Roidhunate? Marchmen come to resemble their enemies. Dennitzan culture is influenced by its citizens of Merseian descent. Dennitzans resist the Emperor's attempt to disband their militia. However, the Gospodar knows that Merseian rule would mean slavery. He not only works hard to remain in the Empire but also responds to Merseian subversion by attacking Chereion.