“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.