He died nearly 800 years ago, and yet we all still know his name. From 1190 to 1227, Genghis Khan ruled an empire that eventually stretched from Russia to China. He is responsible for millions of deaths, but he also unified warring factions and brought peace and security to 5000 miles of trade routes. The complicated legacy of his Mongol conquest spans the globe and continues to be felt today.
Basics
Khwarezmia from 1219-1221.
Brutality
pyramid of their severed heads erected in honor of his victory.
Of course, Genghis had been incensed by the Persians prior to the invasion. A few years earlier, he had tried to establish trade relations; but rather than being received with open arms, his emissaries were abused. In fact, with one group of three envoys, only two returned alive, along with the severed head of the third. It has been reported that Genghis had as much as 75% of the Iranian population massacred during his conquest, and, for the provincial governor who initially rebuffed his envoys, Genghis had him executed by pouring molten silver into his ears and eyes.
Death
fell off his horse, and others that he was killed by an unknown respiratory illness. One salacious, and probably false, account has it that a Tangut princess, captured in battle and added to Genghis’ harem, caused his ultimate death by castrating him.
possibly legend, possibly not, as the funeral procession traveled to the gravesite, the accompanying soldiers, all 800 of them, slaughtered everyone they encountered along the way. Then, after the funeral, all 2000 of the invited guests were slain, along with 40 sacrificial virgins and 40 horses. Finally, the soldiers supposedly killed each other and themselves.
Prolificacy
morganatic wives and, presumably, a horde of concubines.
international study of male DNA, nearly .5% of men, worldwide, carry his DNA. According to contemporaneous reports, by 1260, there were more than 20,000 members, by blood, of his family. His oldest son was reputed to have had 40 sons (girls didn’t count, apparently), and his grandson, the famed Kubilai Khan, was believed to have acquired around 30 new virgins, each year, to add to his harem.
Famous Descendants
Kubla Khan.
Silk Road
Silk Road, under Genghis and his son, the Yam route allowed information and trade to move freely and safely throughout the empire. A series of stations supported the soldiers who manned the 5000 mile route, and they, in turn, provided security to the European and Asian traders who exchanged silk, spices, gold and silver, as well as people and culture.
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