Mongol Empire in 13th Century

Mongolization of Mongolia

Turkic Empires of Mongolia

First Türk (552-630)

Second Türk (682-742)

Uighurs (744-840)

Liao (Khitan) Dynasty, 907-1125

Pastoral nomadic people

W. Manchuria homeland

Liao River

Mongolic language

*Chinggis [Genghis] Khan, “Oceanic King” (ca. 1167-1227)

Born Temujin

Son of Yisügei

Poisoned by Tatars, 1175

Childhood of hardship

Teenage leader of nökürs

United Mongols

Alliances

Kereit

Marriage politics

Warfare

Merkits, 1189

Tatars, 1196

Annihilation or slavery

Quriltai or Khuriltai (assembly), 1206

Chinggis Khan, “Oceanic King”

Chinggis Khan Memorial and Museum

Campaigns of conquest

Capital at Qaraqorum (Karakorum)

Skaff at Karakorum archaeological site in 2016 with Dr. Jan Bemmann, head of Mongolian-German Karakorum Expedition

Why are we standing next to evidence of state-forced Chinese migrants at Qaraqorum (Karakorum)?

Factors determining success of Mongol armies

Personal ability of Genghis Khan

Chinggis Khan Memorial, Mongolia

According to Skaff, why does modern Mongolian nationalism give too much credit to Chinggis Khan while ignoring the contributions of his son, Ögödei, and grandson, Mongke?

Scale and Persistence of Empire to 1260

Approximately equals Turk Empire, ca. 580 at death of Chinggis Khan in 1227

Surpasses Turk Empire under Ögödei and Mongke

Quality of the Mongol soldiers

Tactics of terror

Jin capital, Zhongdu, 1215

Bukhara, 1220

Military organization, planning, discipline

Reorganization of tribes

Units of 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 (tumen)

Willingness to employ conquered peoples

Turks: Cavalry

China, Russia, and Iran: infantry, siege weapons

Favorable weather in Mongolia during early conquests

Hessl, Amy, et al. “Tree Rings, Climate, and People in Central Asia,” 2013.

Extremely dry, 1175-1190

Extremely wet, 1211-1226

Compare with Golden, p. 84