Mongol Empire: Fear this!
In the 1200’s, the time of the Crusades, a great and much feared empire was born
in Asia. In great part it was created by one of the most powerful and ruthless
men in history.
Let me show you some great empire’s of the past (overheads of Alexander’s and
Rome’s). Now look and see the Mongol Empire, the largest ever!
Like Rome they started out with very little. The Mongols weren’t a united
people and they lived in many different tribes. Lived in tribes and blood feuds.
Great horsemen. Lived north of what China and the Great Wall of China was
built partially to keep them out. Remember that 1500 mile long wall built by
Shih Hwang Ti which is also the longest cemetery in the world with over 300,000
buried within it.
Harmless little tribes until the appearance of one man:
Temujin: son of a chieftain in a small tribe. His father was murdered
when he was a small child and he was forced into hiding.
• Survived on mice for a time
• Grew tough and nasty. Became a chieftain himself.
• Conquered the tribe that forced him out. Every male taller than
a cart axle was executed.
• Conquered more tribes – enemy chiefs were boiled alive.
• Ordered his own blood brother killed. Superstitious that if he
spilled the blood of his brother then he would be haunted by his
spirit. He had him crushed by piling rocks upon him.
• United all Mongol tribes by killing anyone or any tribe that
defied him. Then renames himself.
Genghis Khan: (1167-1227 A.D.) “Universal ruler” Ruler of all things
under the stars.
The Mongols under Khan
1) Brought peace through harsh law code
Blood feuds, adultery, theft, lying, betrayal, sorcery,
disobedience, peeing or doing laundry in running water. All
crimes were punished with – DEATH
Religious tolerance as long as recognized Khan as supreme
ruler.
2) Mongols are turned into a war machine!
All adult males in army until age 60.
Promotion by merit and skill only
Like the Huns before them, they are incredibly skilled
archers and horsemen. Extremely powerful bows that the
Mongols would stand in the stirrups and fire from at full
gallop. Bows could pierce knightly armor like soft parmesan
cheese in the microwave.
Always practicing…
Great Hunt: Mongol method of practicing warfare.
Warriors encircle hundreds of miles, bagging drums
and scaring game before them. Once the circle closed
they would use their bows to eliminate everything.
Conquests of Genghis Khan
Has a massive army, he’s outlawed blood feuds, now he has to give them
something to do… path of conquest that makes him a legend.
Northern China
Genghis looks past the Great Wall to conquer the rich cities of China. His
first invasions were not successful. No siege technology and walled cities
of the Chinese gave him too much trouble.
Returned several years later after stealing Chinese technology. Mongols
now use siege towers, catapults and
gunpowder – Chinese invention stolen by the Mongols.
Bamboo-tubed rockets and for blowing holes in walls.
Sweeps into China destroying, pillaging and slaughtering. By sheer force
of numbers he overwhelms the Chinese and leaves behinds “mountains of
human bones and horse skeletons. “ For a time attempts to turn northern
China into grazing land, but his advisors convince him not to as there are
too many people to kill. Conquers northern China.
Khwarizm
“I am the punisher of God. If you had not committed great sins, God
would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
Genghis Khan
Now neighboring an Islamic state Khwarizm. Genghis sent a letter
informing the Sultan Mohammad that he was now his overlord. The
Sultan ignores the insulting letter.
Perhaps in vengeance the Sultan has a Mongol trade caravan attacked and
its goods taken. Genghis sent several ambassadors to work this out.
Ambassadors ask for apology and the men responsible brought to justice.
The Sultan beheaded the chief ambassador, burns the beards off the others
and sends them back to Khan. Genghis probably would have invaded
southern China but now…
Genghis’ armies sweep into Khwarizm on three fronts. One by one the
cities fell.
Defenders were slaughtered even if they surrendered. Some
tried to join the Mongols. They were also killed.
If city put up prolonged resistance the entire population was
butchered. Cities were destroyed and burned to the ground.
If population was not butchered civilians were driven before
Mongol armies as human shields when attacking.
Urganj: capital of Khwarizm. City falls after 7 days of fierce
resistance by the cities’ population.
All within are killed
Animals in zoo are slaughtered
Graves are emptied and bodies mangled
River is diverted to flow through the city
Don’t know the exact location of this city even today
Herat: largest city of Khwarizm. City surrenders. Mongols leave
and it rebels.
Six month siege. 1,600,000 are killed.
Governor who convinced the people to rebel. Killed by
having molten silver poured into his eyes and throat.
All killed except for fellow who falls off walls and down
cliff. Mongols find him unhurt and spooked they let him
go.
Sultan Mohammad flees to an island in the Caspian and dies
of exhaustion.
Why the slaughter? Was there any reason?
1) FEAR: Opposing armies flee, cities surrender on site. Fewer
battles, less resistance.
2) Create dead lands as buffer zones. Dead lands are not a threat
to invade. Homeland security for Mongols.
Skilled workers and craftsmen were not killed. If you weren’t
useful you were killed.
⇒ Muslims ask Christians to end crusades and help against Mongols.
Christians laugh!
⇒ Crusaders ask Mongols for help against Muslims. Genghis sends
back… Acknowledge me as overlord or die.
Death of Genghis Khan
Thrown from his horse while invading into southern China. His death is
kept a secret while armies continue invasions into southern China. Body
is taken to a secret burial site. Body is buried with gold, horses and
perhaps over 40 women.
Horses trample the site for three days. 2,000 that attended the funeral are
killed by 800 soldiers. The 800 soldiers are killed when they return to the
capital.
Tomb has not been found, but a team of archaeologists think they have it.
Tribe of herders was told to guard the area and one still lives today.
Tomb will probably rival that of King Tut!
Mongol Conquests Continue!
Ogodei Khan: drunken son of Genghis becomes ruler. Promises
only to drink two cups of alcohol a day. Has bigger and bigger
cups. Eventually drinks himself to death. Fermented mare’s milk.
Batu Khan: Genghis’ grandson and general under Ogodei
who invades Europe. Sends message “Acknowledge me as
overlord or be destroyed!” Christians laugh.
150,000 Mongol horsemen invade Poland on three fronts!
Spread terror killing all in their path.
Battle of Leignitz: Polish army composed of 100,000 men
including many thousands of church knights, Templars,
Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights face 40,000 Mongol
horsemen. One of the finest armies in western Europe!
Mongols retreat quickly and gallop off as if they are running away. Whooo-hooooo say
the knights and they charge uncontrollably leaving their foot soldiers behind. Mongols
race retreat for miles with the knights chasing them. Then they turn and fire arrows up
and over the charging knights. Knights think, “Boy these guys are really bad shots.” But
they’re smoke arrows. Thousands of them detonate between the knights and their foot
soldiers and they can’t see each other. Mongols then train their bows on the knights and
like moldy cheese in a microwave they annihilate them. Mongols then race threw the
clouds of smoke and explode upon the foot soldiers who were racing to catch up. The
Polish armies are utterly destroyed. Batu collects nine sacks of ears to prove of his
conquests and of the dead for drunk old Ogodei.
In Hungary another Mongol army outnumbered 100,000 to 50,000 also completely
destroys Hungarian forces. OH MY GOODDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Western Europe PANICS!
Demons invade. Their women are more brutal
than the men. They eat flesh. Pope issues
crusade to save all Christendom.
Then Mongols disappear. Wow we must have
scared them off!
Ogodei drank himself to death and Batu had to
return to elect a new Khan. Planned on returning
another time but never does. Europe could not
have stood up to the Mongols.
Kublai Khan: Genghis’ grandson and great Khan who conquers southern
China.
Marco Polo: Venetian trader serves Kublai for 17 years. Returns to
Venice and his story is written in a book “Description of the World.”
Story is a sensation in Europe telling of the wonders and riches of China.
Show the Mongol Empire…
Conquest of Japan
Kublai orders Japan to recognize him as overlord. They refuse. Invasion.
Japan: feudal kingdom defended by the samurai warriors.
Only problem is the Mongols must build a fleet to transport their armies.
No problem. Kublai builds a massive fleet and sets sail. Massive storm
blows in. They decide to weather it at sea. Bad decision. Fleet and
armies are destroyed.
Second massive invasion fleet. One will land at the north end of the
island. The other at the southern end and they’ll meet in the middle.
Another storm destroys the Mongol armies once more.
Kublai give up conquest of Japan. Since then Japan has given thanks to:
Kamikaze: “the divine wind”
Impact of the Mongol Empire
1) Population decrease!
2) Permanent destruction of the irrigation system in Mesopotamia
3) Peace, order and trade throughout Asia
Japan
Land of feudal kingdoms and samurai knights
Shogun: “general” feudal leaders and commanders of the
military. (Lords)
Samurai: “one who serves” armored warrior. Bamboo plated
armor. Carried a longbow and the katana.
Katana: “big sword” incredibly sharp curved sword. Cut
leaves in a stream. Took years to make.
Wakizashi: “little sword” smaller curved sword at the
belt. Use it to take the head of your honored opponent.
All samurai lived by a code of honor like chivalry. Chivalry still lives with us and
this code still lives with the Japanese.
Bushido: “The way”
1) All loyalty to your shogun
2) Death rather than dishonor
3) Vengeance
“Death is lighter than a feather, but duty is weightier than a mountain.”
IF YOU DO DISHONOR YOURSELF THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO
REGAIN HONOR! Seppuku!
Hari-kari: kneel and with your short sword disembowel yourself.
Today suicide is deplored in Japan but it doesn’t have the same horrific overtones as it
does here. Suicide is a cowardly act or the act of person who is not well. It’s not thought
of that way in Japan and they have the one of the higher suicide rates in the world.