Here you can find a youtube link to a superb BBC documentary which describes the life and history of Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongols.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2NySAt0IisA

“I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” "The greatest happiness is to scatter your enemy, to drive him before you, to see his cities reduced to ashes, to see those who love him shrouded in tears, and to gather into your bosom his wives and daughters."- Genghis Khan

As well as a cunning military strategist Khan was also incredibly ruthless when he had to be. If he encountered any sort of heavy resistance from an enemy city he usually dealt with this by massacring the people once he'd broken through their defences. This was often women and children included. He only allowed two or three people to keep their lives as he wanted them to run off to the next settlement and tell them of Khan's terrible army. This made it easier for everyone as the settle could just surrender instead of being crushed by the superior Mongol forces.

 Khan's army was incredibly mobile as all warriors were mounted on horseback. The soldiers of his army had three different roles. These were as swift, lightly armored cavalry, heavily armored cavalry and mounted archers. His men were more organised than any other army than people had ever seen. His archers stood at the back and sent a rain of arrows from overhead to constantly pester and abuse the enemy. Any undisciplined resistance was no match for Khan's fast paced, well armed force. Its believed Khan never really lost a battle during his ruler-ship. The Mongols went on to move up into the China, breaking through The Great Wall defeating the Xia Dynasty to the West and the Jin Dynasty in the South. One feature of the Mongol force which became highly influential was a portable siege structure that could be used to breach and scale castle walls. They were later dismantled after battle and could be carried on horseback to the next city, allowing him to transport the structures between towns easily.

Having conquered his ancient enemies, the dynasty's of  China, Khan took a look to the West. Within no more than a few years later Genghis Khan had toppled both the vast empires of Russia and Persia. The Persians presented the greatest resistance the Mongols had yet encountered so when the Persian capital, Baghdad, was eventually captured, the ruthless Mongols decided to wrap up the Sultan of Persia (leader) along his family in a huge rug and then  brutally trampled him with their horses. Another story describes how  the Mongols, having just come over the high Russian slopes stormed into Kiev.  Some legend says that they put wooden planks over the bodies of captured Russian generals and princes and began to slowly crush them to death by gathering his men and having a feast on top of them.  Khan had conquered most of the Eastern world before he reached his death. He was certainly ruthless, he was certainly bloodthirsty, but he was also efficient and clever and because of this he earned himself a reputation as one of the greatest leader that ever walked the Earth.

Some of the most influencial decisions Genghis Khan took during his life were carried out roughly during  the years 1177-1206.  It was in this period that Khan somehow managed, against all odds, to unite the previously unorganisied tribes which were dispersed throughout Mongolia.  He formed a united Mongol Confederation which was absolutely loyal to his rule.  In some cases he had to crush his more resilient enemies and massacre them but more frequent they instead chose to surrender to the invaders of his massive army.  Genghis Khan was not cruel to his subjects, he allowed individuals minor leadership roles within the clans, he shared out the wealth of his empire and was tolerant of the many different religions which existed throughout Mongolia.  He conquered tribes such as the Naimens, Merkits, Tatars, Khamag Mongols and Keraits.

40m tall statue of Genghis Khan on horseback erected in 2008 at the site where Khan, according to legend, found his sacred golden whip.  The statue is located east of the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator on the banks of the Tuul River and cost the government $4.1 million to build.

“If you're afraid - don't do it,  - if you're doing it - don't be afraid!” ― Genghis Khan

So like I said, this will be a blog in which explain how the landscape, people and culture allowed Genghis Khan's empire to become so vast.  The name Genghis Khan means "The Total Lord" or lord of all.  Obviously this was not his birth name, it was a title he acquired from his followers through the actions he carried out.  He real name was Temujin.  It's known that his descendants continued to conquer and rule the empire long after his death.  I want to take a look at the foundation of the Great Khan's empire and how he raised his armies from the dust in this particular post.

Khan was no stranger to war and conflict during his youth.  He lived a tough childhood, with exposure to tribal feuds, poverty and imprisonment. An arranged marriage at the age of nine meant Temujin was sent away to serve the neighboring Onggirat tribe for three years until he reached the age of marriage.  His wife to be, was bórte.  When Khan was twelve,  his father,who was leader of the Borjigin clan, was poisoned by a rival tribe after they invited him into their tent for a meal.  After his fathers death, Temujin tried to claim leadership of his fathers people however they refused to be ruled by someone so young. And rather harshly they instead chose to remove Temujin's mother and all her children from the clan.

Temujin's family lived in poverty for the next few years, surviving of left over carcasses and any small game which they could find.  When he was fourteen, the young Khan killed his brother in a dispute over hunting spoils.  This act formed the foundation of his ruthless leadership mentality.  Soon after this event, another tribe captured Temujin and his family however he heroically escaped with help of a generous guard who set him free.  The story of his escape spread rapidly between villages and now with impressive reputation he gained some followers.

The Great Genghis Khan and the Legacy He Left Behind

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        We've heard of Napoleon right?  Attila the Hun?  Herod the Great?  Or Maximilien Robespierre? All ruthless but great leader none the less.  Leaders who's name will be down in the history books for hundreds, even thousands of years.  And I'm wondering... who was the greatest?  Well I think I've made up my mind!

      Genghis Khan is believed to be born in 1162 – and died August 1227, in Temujin, Mongolia.  He is known and remembered as the Great Khan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire.  Under his rule the Empire grew vast. He crushed anyone that stood in his way and remarkably, still holds the record for the largest contiguous empire in history.  Below is a map which gives you an idea of just how powerful Khan was during his rule.



Astonishing really.  This is a geographical blog and in the coming weeks I intend to describe how resources, communication and landscape allowed Khan to establish and control this empire during his lifetime and why this ruler will always be remembered as one of the greatest.