The Mongol Empire: The Expansion Of The Mongol Empire

The Expansion of the Mongols The Mongols were a nomadic people, split into multiple tribes across Central Asia, though most lived in the Eastern Steppes. Once gathered and allied, they were unstoppable, able to conquer any civilization that stood in their way. This was due to their fantastic military leadership and great skill on horseback. The sheer mass and appearance of the Mongols inflicted fear upon those who fought against them, with thousands upon thousands of highly skilled killing machines. They were known to be able to ride and shoot, hitting their mark from 60 yards away. The Mongols were incredibly powerful and able to expand their empire with extreme swiftness by practically living on their mounts, and their military prowess and

They also created great empires, strengthening the cities that they ruled. They gained this ruler ship through submission. When the Mongols came across a city in their path, they gave them a chance to surrender. If that city showed hostility or resisted, they were pillaged and then destroyed. If they submitted however, the Mongols become their rulers. This wasn’t all disadvantageous though. Under Mongol rule, these cities found security from outside barbarians, making trade relatively secure which caused it to thrive. Not only did these men create a grand empire in this way, but they also helped entwine the different cultures of Asia together. Once cultures were incorporated into the Mongolian empire, they could open trade safer than before. With the Mongols incorporating so many empires into their empire, cultures mixed greatly. This was amazingly impactful towards cultural advancements. With the combining of ideas, all the values and beliefs mixed, creating a much more “rounded” community. Had it not been for the Mongols, this may never have happened and this is one of the many reasons that the Mongols were an integral part of cultural development and their importance truly shines

With Michael Adas’ representation, we hear him talking about what they did, the benefits and the disadvantages. He talks about how they’d done what no other civilization had done before, let alone a nomadic people. Combining these cultures together helped shape what we say today in that region, and without Genghis Khan, none of this would’ve happened, or at least not for a long time. From Ibn al-Athir’s point of view however, these people were savages. He states that “But these Tartars conquered most of the habitable glove and the best, the most flourishing and most populous part thereof, and that whereof the inhabitants were the most advanced in character and conduct, in about a year; nor did any country escape their devastations which did not fearfully expect them and dread their arrival.” This shows us just how scared he was of these nomads, and how he saw them. Later he says “As for their religion, they worship the sun when it rises, and regard nothing as unlawful, for they eat all beasts, even dogs, pigs, and the like; nor do they recognise the marriage-tie, for several men are in marital relations with one woman, and if a child is born, it knows not who is its father.” This also shows us how he thinks of them. He sees them as a destructive race with no order, killing all in their path. Their only objective is to conquer, in his mind and he’s sees them as a bad