FReeper Canteen ~ Part IX of The Mongols ~ January 4, 2005

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | January 4, 2005 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part IX of The Mongols

Genghis Khan

The Mongolians of the 12^th and 13^th century were seen as nothing more than savage barbarians by their enemies, who inhabited what is now China, Russia, and the Middle East (Nicolle 7). Because the Mongolians were brutal and because Mongol history was mostly recorded by Mongol victims, this view has lasted almost eight hundred years (Nicolle 7). However under their greatest leader, Genghis Khan, the Mongolians were much more than wild and undisciplined crushers of cities, agriculture, and established civilizations. Genghis Khan created more than he destroyed. A military genius, Genghis led methodical campaigns that first brought together the warring tribes of Mongolia into a nation and then conquered Mongolia’s powerful neighboring empires (USA Today 1). Not only did Genghis create Mongolia the ruler brought education, including Mongolia’s first written language, and a code of laws to the country (USA Today 1). Finally, Genghis Khan laid the foundation for the Mongol Empire, one of the greatest empires of all time (Marshall 64-65). Heritage of Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born "Temuchin" around 1167 (Marshall 24). The name was taken from one of the Tartars (a rival nomadic tribe) who Temuchin’s father, Yesugei, had killed (Nicolle 17-18). According to legend, Temuchin was born holding a blood clot in his fist (Lister 18). This was considered to be a symbol that the child would be a heroic fighter (Lister 18). Temuchin became head of the family at the age of just 12 or 13 after Yesugei was slain by a group of Tartars (Nicolle 17). Yesugei had been a lesser chief of the Borjigin clan but the clan rejected the young Temuchin as leader and cast his family out (Nicolle 17). For a period of time Temuchin’s family lived in extreme poverty but through courageous deeds, such as escaping capture and retrieving stolen horses, Temuchin was able to attract followers and build a reputation that spread across Mongolia (geocities.com 2-3).

In addition to many followers Temuchin was also able to attract two strong allies. The most important was Yesugei’s blood brother Togrul, leader of the Kereit tribe, one of the most powerful Mongolian tribes at that time (Humphrey 39). Togrul helped gather together Yesguei’s followers under Temuchin when the Merkits (another Mongolian tribe) kidnapped Temichin’s wife Borte (Humphrey 39). Matters of "honor" and "revenge" were the source of much tribal conflict and the motive for this kidnapping (Lister 68-69). Yesugei’s wife had been taken from the Merkits and so Borte was taken to even the score (Nicolle 18). In the end this benefited Temuchin enormously since Togrul also convinced Jamuga (a childhood friend of Temuchin who now led a large tribe) to join Temuchin and Togrul in a war against the Merkits (Humphrey 44). The three men defeated the Merkits and retrieved Borte (Humphrey 44). This was Temuchin's first command and the victory greatly improved his image and increased his power (Marshall 27-28). Large numbers of young, devoted warriors were drawn to him (Lister 102-103). After Jamuga helped Temuchin defeat the Merkits the friendship was renewed and followers were combined (Humphrey 46). When the two strong leaders came into conflict and separated about a year and a half later many of Jamuga’s followers decided to remain with Temuchin (Humphrey 46). At the age of about twenty Temuchin was declared "Khan," or ruler, of several tribes (Lister 99-101). Genghis Khan

Next Tuesday Conclusion of The Mongols: Ghenghis Khan

[Kathy in Alaska]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! ppaul!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sending prayers, Taz, for Uncle Carl. Thank you, Uncle Carl, and Taz, your Dad and his second brother, for your service to this great country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm starting to nod, so not much longer for me.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning fellow cubevillians!

[uncleshag]

Hit the showers, Kathy.

Your mission this day
here is accomplished.
Well Done!

Sweet Dreams of Red White and Blue!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Medal of Honor Recipients, for your sacrifices for your fellow Marines.

Cpl Perkins and Sgt Peters

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, uncle. 0030 is the max. Timer set!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Robert ~

~ A Military Family Member's Wife ~

~ Luke ~

~ Billy ~

~ Britton ~

Thank you to each of these heroes for their dedication and sacrifice for America. We thank all the rest of our Troops whose pictures are not listed here. We extend our gratitude to you and your families. God Bless America! God Bless our Troops! God Bless our Allies! (If you would like to have your family member's picture posted everyday, please FReepmail me.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our National Anthem

[uncleshag]

That was strange.

I just carried my cup back here, the screen refreshes and there's Ma with hot coffee. Thanks Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sweet dreams, my. Thank you for helping make the Canteen a fun place for our troops. And thank you for your service to this great nation.

[tiamat]

Good Morning!
Or should I say, "Sweet Dreams"?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Auntie Fawnn.....#150!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Grammie.....#100!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Lee Greenwood ~ Wind Beneath My Wings

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sweet Dreams. I gotta hit the shower and then my bed. Good morning, tia. The house still sold?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[tiamat]

House still sold, off my hands and the check cleared.

I frankly don't know what to do with myself, i'm so giddy.

Have a good shower and sleep, and later I will tell you about Caitlin's "Norwegian Blue".

[Kathy in Alaska]

I knew you'd have it! Good job, HJ. Good night and sleep well, Piper's Poppa. Thanks for sharing Piper with all of us. Sweet dreams. Thank you for your service to this great country of ours and for helping honor our troops. Good night, Piper!