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Genghis Khan: Difference between revisions
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==Conquests and character== | ==Conquests and character== | ||
Genghis Khan was a firm believer in logic, reason, and meritocracy. He was also highly domineering and egotistical, and believed he had a god-given right to rule the world, known in China as "the mandate of heaven". For example, at a very young age, Genghis killed his older half-brother to establish leadership and dominance within the family. His brother had attempted to 'pull rank' on Genghis, bullying him by stealing his kill after a hunting | Genghis Khan was a firm believer in logic, reason, and meritocracy. He was also highly domineering and egotistical, and believed he had a god-given right to rule the world, known in China as "the mandate of heaven". For example, at a very young age, Genghis killed his older half-brother to establish leadership and dominance within the family. His brother had attempted to 'pull rank' on Genghis, bullying him by stealing his kill after a hunting session. When he told his mother of this incident, she sided with the older half-brother (her future husband). Incensed at this, Genghis and his brother Khasar swiftly made a plan to ambush the older brother. Showing tactical acumen at an early age, Genghis had his brother (the better shot of the two) approach Begter from the front while Genghis stalked him like prey from behind through tall grass. After a confrontation with his older brother, who made no effort to defend himself, the two brother pelted him with arrows and left him to perish. | ||
He eschewed (somewhat) the tribalism that was common in the steep nomad milieu he was raised in, by recruiting top soldiers from other armies, based on merit and usefullness. This is in contrast to the Big Man system of the tallest guy gets the job, regardless of ability that was in place at the time, or the kinship system of the Mongols which placed family ties above all else. His rule was just but extremely brutal, with him abolishing torture in his realm, but treating criminals and bandits with the utmost severity. This ''Pax Mongolica'' (mongol peace) thus established in his empire and that of his descendants established trade links that spanned from China to Western Europe. | He eschewed (somewhat) the tribalism that was common in the steep nomad milieu he was raised in, by recruiting top soldiers from other armies, based on merit and usefullness. This is in contrast to the Big Man system of the tallest guy gets the job, regardless of ability that was in place at the time, or the kinship system of the Mongols which placed family ties above all else. His rule was just but extremely brutal, with him abolishing torture in his realm, but treating criminals and bandits with the utmost severity. This ''Pax Mongolica'' (mongol peace) thus established in his empire and that of his descendants established trade links that spanned from China to Western Europe. | ||