HIS 9 - Elective - Heroes and Villains: Genghis Khan

Mongol leader Genghis Khan (1162-1227) rose from humble beginnings to establish the largest land empire in history. After uniting the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian plateau, he conquered huge chunks of central Asia and China.

The legacy of Genghis Khan, his sons, and grandsons is one of cultural development, artistic achievement, a courtly way of life, and an entire continent united under the so-called Pax Mongolica (“Mongolian Peace”).

Chinggis Khan shared many positive characteristics of other great conquerors, such as tactical genius, personal charisma, and an astute ability to use propaganda. Moreover, Chinggis Khan instituted or expanded a number of innovative administrative and cultural practices that sound strangely modern: diplomatic immunity, a reliable and efficient mail service, free trade, religious tolerance, respect for women, and political rule guided by consensus.

Reclaiming Genghis Khan - an exhibit of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

e-Book on the life of Genghis Khan.
Genghis Khan is one of the most controversial figures in ancient history. The Mongolian leader pillaged cities and towns, leaving the conquered populace destitute or dead.

From Genghis Khan to the arid wastes of the Gobi desert, from being the Soviet Union’s most Stalinist satellite to the first Asian communist country to embrace democracy, Mongolia has always been an area of mystery and dread.

Encyclopaedia article about Genghis Khan - Mongolian warrior-ruler, one of the most famous conquerors of history, who consolidated tribes into a unified Mongolia and then extended his empire across Asia to the Adriatic Sea.

Genghis Khan was a political and military genius who united Mongol and other nomadic tribes into a disciplined, effective fighting force. Genghis Khan was an intelligent man with superior organizational abilities. Although he had little interest in cultural matters, he promoted literacy among his people. He also established the first Mongol code of laws, called the Yasa or Yasak. The order he created throughout his vast empire promoted the growth of trade between China and Europe.