Key Messages
Uncovering The Underrated History Of Genghis Khan And The Mongol Empire
Discover a new interpretation of Genghis Khan with this book, which has the potential to completely change the way you view him and his empire.
In the West, we often hear stories of brutality and aggression when talking about Genghis Khan; but this book offers a different perspective that any history buff can appreciate.
It seeks to illuminate why the Mongol Empire still has an impact today and explore why Genghis Khan is currently underappreciated in the West.
With this book, you’ll learn how the Mongol Empire constructed a commercial empire bridging between Europe and Asia and discover never-before-told tales of Genghis Khan’s childhood.
You’ll also find out why it was 100% not a good idea to kidnap your future spouse!
The journey through history will be interesting and fascinating as you come to understand a different side of Genghis Khan and his legacy – one that deserves being revisited with this book.
Genghis Khan’S Early Life Of Adversity Reshaped The Course Of History
Genghis Khan is one of the most celebrated and feared rulers in history, but his larger-than-life reputation began with humble origins in a difficult terrain.
Born as Temujin to a family of nomads, he was raised in the Eurasian Steppe between modern Mongolia and Siberia.
The law of this area was violence and murder, kidnapping, and enslavement among rival tribes were commonplace.
Temujins’s father Yesugei had kidnapped his mother Hoelun right after she married Chiledu from another clan.
Genghis Khan was born into these dire circumstances but managed to survive on his own wits despite being orphaned at an early age; at just 9 years old, Temujin killed his older half-brother for control of their family.
The boy was eventually captured and enslaved by the Tayichiud tribe but soon made a daring escape thanks to a stolen horse.
Not formally educated, it was Genghis Khan’s determination that has gone on to define him as much as anything else–he eventually conquered more lands than any other leader before him by unifying nomadic tribes into an empire.
Though his beginnings had been anything but illustrious, ultimately he forged the foundations for what is now regarded as one of the greatest military achievements world history has ever seen.
From Outcast To Unstoppable Leader: Genghis Khan’S Triumph Over Adversity And Prejudice
Genghis Khan was no ordinary ruler.
He had a knack for strategy and warfare, and his army was composed of expert riders who shot arrows from horseback.
He also shied away from traditional practices like executing enemy leaders, instead preferring to absorb them into his own tribe.
Furthermore, he based key appointments on competence rather than nepotism.
However, despite his many accomplishments and abilities, Genghis Khan has been saddled with a negative reputation in the West as being primitive and barbaric due to racism in 19th century Western science that resulted in the offensive term “Mongoloid.” This smear campaign against him and the Mongols has overshadowed their successful conquests—further enforced by our cultural narratives that celebrate European military figures while deeming those outside Europe “others.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that Genghis Khan could be seen as both a genius strategist and a victim of an unfair smear campaign.
His successes should not be forgotten simply because of the prejudices of long ago.
Genghis Khan’s Unbelievable Accomplishments: Achieving The Impossible With 100,000 Warriors
Genghis Khan’s domain was truly vast – almost beyond imagining.
In just 25 years, his Mongol army had conquered an area stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, extending across 30 countries.
This empire spanned an enormous 11-12 million square miles – larger than the African continent!
To put it in perspective, the Mongol Empire occupied a territory greater than the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and all of their Caribbean islands combined.
And yet incredibly, only one hundred thousand warriors managed to keep control over this immense area filled with nomads and 15-20 million animals.
Genghis Khan’s legacy still stands – it wasn’t just through military might that he maintained order.
He introduced laws which kept tensions between ethnically diverse tribes within his realms subdued.
This left us with a legacy that continues to inspire awe even today.
Genghis Khan’S Laws Show That He Was More Than Just A ‘Savage Warlord’
Genghis Khan was shrewd when it came to establishing a legal code that would govern his ever-growing empire.
He took cues from the nomadic people before him, but then went ahead and threw out any customs that might have hindered his rule.
The main element of his law was the Great Law, which didn’t just constitute one piece of legislation, but rather several laws that were revised over time to better suit the needs of the empire.
These laws didn’t replace local traditions unless they contradicted the Greater Law in some way – such as outlawing adultery according to certain definitions at the time.
However, stealing animals or not returning a lost animal to its rightful owner were deemed capital offenses – showing how serious Genghis Khan was about maintaining order in his kingdom.
In order for news and information to travel quickly across this vast land, Genghis Khan also established an extensive communication system using fast riders known as arrow messengers who travelled between stations 20 miles apart for swift dissemination of messages.
Genghis Khan’s desire for stability and harmony is evident in all aspects of his ruling style.
As much as he has been seen as a savage warlord today, it cannot be denied that he truly believed in ensuring peace within the empire through unique laws that he carefully crafted and implemented throughout his lifetime.
Genghis Khan: A Progressive Ruler Who Handed Down A Humanist Legacy
Genghis Khan was a forward-thinking ruler who cared deeply about the rights and wellbeing of his people.
He advocated for human rights and education, protecting the basic rights of all his subjects, particularly women’s rights.
Understanding the value of religious freedom, he also forbade slavery among Mongols as well as making it illegal to kidnap or sell women.
In addition, Khan also encouraged learning and intellectual activities across his empire, even though he couldn’t read himself.
This kind of progressive ideal was carried on by his grandson, Kublai Khan who founded schools for the Mongolian language and a university in 1271.
He commissioned scholars to edit and reprint old texts, manage archives and document current affairs.
Furthermore, he nurtured theater and the literary arts at his court; creating new forms of entertainment which were rooted in both folk traditions as well as courtly culture.
Genghis Khan Established An Empire Built On Merit And Loyalty
When it came to building his empire, Genghis Khan had a clear vision: one based on meritocratic ideals.
He saw the world as one in which individuals were not limited by their birth or by aristocratic privilege, but instead could ascend the ranks of power through hard work and loyalty.
Genghis tackled this challenge first by diffusing the power of tribes and abolishing traditional titles.
All important offices were then connected to the central state, culminating in a powerful military unit that featured a system of conscription for healthy males between 15 and 70 years old.
This presented an array of opportunities for individuals from all walks of life – including shepherds – to progress based on merit instead of status.
At its core, loyalty was key for Genghis Khan, who gave out positions according to trustworthiness more than family ties.
Favored members were given above-average roles in ranging from 5,000 soldiers to 10,000 – with bigger rewards conferred if they had been with him longer.
To further incentivize those under his employ, he also instituted religious exemptions from taxation and other public duties (notably doctors, scholars, lawyers and teachers), making sure they retained some financial stability while being part of his legion.
In this way Genghis Khan truly revolutionized the world as we know it today through his insistence that promotion be earned, not ascribed based on birth or faith alone.
The Mongol Empire Revolutionized The Spread Of Goods And Ideas Across Europe And Asia
It is undeniable that the Mongols played an essential role in creating what we consider modern civilization.
Their vast territory allowed them to circulate goods and ideas from China to Europe, effectively connecting these two worlds and creating diplomatic and commercial contacts that remain to this day.
Genghis Kahn was a master at the redistribution of accumulated wealth which acted as a catalyst for international trade.
He also established the world’s first international postal service system, putting into place the concept of circulation of wealth: a cornerstone of modern economics.
The Mongols rearranged local culture wherever they went, amalgamating related peoples such as Slavic people in Eastern Europe or integrating Chinese state by uniting its territories.
Genghis Khan even created his own version of a free-trade zone by organizing trade towns along the Silk Road, which spurred new technologies transferring between East and West.
All of this eventually led to a flowering of civilization during the Renaissance period.
One only has to look at examples such as Parisian metalworkers employed to build fountains in Mongolian arid steppes, or English nobleman working as interpreters in the Mongol army to see how far reaching their influence was in facilitating cultural exchange between regions too distant or isolated before them.
The undeniable truth is that without the Mongols there would be no modern civilization as we know it today – theirs is truly an essential legacy!
Wrap Up
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World provides a fascinating picture of the Mongol Empire and its impacts on the development of the modern world.
Genghis Khan sought to create a unified world, one based on progressive ideals such as protection of basic human rights, meritocracy, equality, and free trade.
His goals of unification were realized through much bloodshed, but ultimately led to a more peaceful world.
This book helps us understand this period in history and how its influences have contributed to the making of today’s modern civilization.
