The Mongols

Over the span of a year, from 1212-1213, the Mongols razed some ninety-odd cities to the ground during a massive conquest across northern China. By the end of their expansion the Mongol Empire extended from Korea to modern-day Poland and from Vietnam all the way to Siberia. The empire covered an impressive twenty-two percent of the earth's landmass, or nearly thirteen million miles of land. It may be a surprise to learn that before their expansion across Eurasia, the Mongols were individual tribes, neither numerous nor particularly innovative.

These nomadic tribes were generally related through the male line, consisting of uncles, brothers, nephews, and their families. Due to their excessive traveling, a Mongol would only have as many possessions as he or she could carry, and they lived in what were called yurts. Yurts were lightweight tents made of wood and wool that were constructed in a manner that they could be easily and quickly dismantled. Also due to their nomadic lifestyle, the Mongols' diets mostly consisted of animal products, such as mutton or wild game, cheese and fermented milk, though occasionally they could supplement their meals with grain or vegetables acquired through trade.

Because resources could be scarce, conflict was very much a part of a Mongol's daily life. Each encampment had to be wary of oncoming attacks and were prepared to retaliate against rivals. To prepare for this, children were taught to ride at a young age, starting with goats and progressing to ponies as they grew older. Boys were also taught how to wield battle-axes, small compound bows and lances. By the time they were teenagers, the young men would participate in hunting as well as battles, and were trained to ride for several days wi...

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...ir native Mongolia, and suffered similar losses of power in Central Asia and Persia. Their loss of power may have also been due, in part, to Europe's increased contacts with the east. Europeans, who were not as technologically advanced as those to the east, were interested in Chinese inventions, particularly compasses, gunpowder, and printing methods that were brought back from the east by merchants. This brought about European exploration, which may have had an impact on Mongolian rule.

In conclusion, the Mongol conquest across Eurasia brought together many formally nomadic tribes and increased communication between the east to west. The Mongol empire was the most expansive conterminous land empire in world history; by creating a cultural melting pot, they helped blend cultural and political ideals that would help shape the civilizations in upcoming centuries.