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Genghis Khan 1162-1227
The following quote is ascribed to Genghis Khan:
Happiness lies in conquering one's
enemies,
in driving them in front of oneself, in taking their property,
in savoring their despair, in outraging their wives and daughters.
The name Genghis Khan stands for Universal Ruler. Genghis Khan's birth name was
Temüjin (Temuchin.)
One of the world's most infamous conquerors, Genghis Khan united the
tribes of Asia and formed the greatest continental empire in
history, the Mongol Empire.
In spite of his meek nomadic upbringing, he proved to be a brilliant
soldier and statesman. Genghis Khan's ambition and determination
provided the basis for his extraordinary military conquests, the
defeat of great empires by means of comparatively small armies.
And if you think today's
Mongolians are ashamed of Genghis, you're dead wrong. It's their
national hero.
Earning a Reputation
While Genghis Khan and the Mongols were quickly advancing across the
continent, they sent a group of diplomats to the Khwarezmid Empire,
modern Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan. Intimidated by the Mongol's
increasing strength, the Khwarezmid ruler put these foreign
representatives to death.
Genghis Khan's response was one of systematic destruction. There was
no pardon for either the people or their lands. People were
ruthlessly massacred. One city after another, their land was
completely destroyed.
The Mongolian chief developed a reputation for acting with
unpredictable barbarism and horror. This reputation alone was the
reason for many of his victories, since enemies often were paralyzed
with fear.
And here is the map
Mongol Dominions 1300-1405
Click map to enlarge
Genghis Khan's
Military Strategy
In his work Great Captains Unveiled, the military historian
Basil Henry Liddell Hart analyzed Genghis Khan's battle
strategy and, interestingly, found many similarities with German
battle strategies in
World War II.
Genghis Khan's Family
Genghis Khan's father, Yesügei, was poisoned by a rival tribe
when he was 9 years old. His mother was Höelün. His spouse,
Börte, was kidnapped by the Merkit tribe. The tribe paid for
this dearly.
Genghis Khan had four sons:
Jöchi (Juchi)
Chagatai (Tsagadai)
Ögödei (Ogadai), and
Tolui.
Genghis Khan's successor was Ögödei. He ruled the
Golden Horde
until 1241.
Genghis Khan had two famous grandsons:
Kublai Khan, the
conqueror of China and promoter of paper money, and
Batu Khan,
who burned Kiev to the ground.
The Yellow Empire at its
largest extension
Genghis Khan Short
Biography
1162 Birth near Lake Baikal, Mongolia
1206 Becomes Genghis Khan of the Mongolian Empire
1211 Attacks the north of China
1215 Captures Peking
1220 Overruns the Muslim Empire of Khwarezm
1226 Last campaign against Hsi Hsia, modern northwest China
1227 Death (exact location unknown)
Asia 1200 - Races
Genghis Khan Trivia
This gentleman claims he is a descendant of Genghis Khan.
See what you think.
Here is
Genghis Khan's
timeline.
Russia 1240 - Tartar Invasion
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