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

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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

Dec 30- Jan 2

Our temps were upper 60's. We were wearing shorts OUTSIDE and comfortable...so I can relate. But the cold stuff's coming!

341 posted on 01/04/2005 9:19:28 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

To: GummyIII; beachn4fun

I'm sort of wishing it was us Canteener galz who fund him instead of the honorable military...I think we'd be MUCH tougher on him than they're allowed to be.

342 posted on 01/04/2005 9:21:32 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

343 posted on 01/04/2005 9:22:04 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

To: StarCMC; HiJinx

This is "catch a cold" weather (which I did...so rare for me...argh). I think it's a computer bug...and I'm blaming it on HiJinx. (GRIN!)

344 posted on 01/04/2005 9:22:08 AM PST by GummyIII (A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.)

345 posted on 01/04/2005 9:23:09 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

To: StarCMC; beachn4fun

You said it, sister. Painful, painful, painful, and long and drawn out. Gotta run...bbl.

346 posted on 01/04/2005 9:23:14 AM PST by GummyIII (A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.)

....you galz are BRUTAL anyway!.....LOL!

347 posted on 01/04/2005 9:24:36 AM PST by tomkow6 (.....who wants a beer????.....who wants a beer????.....who wants a beer????.....who wants a beer????)

To: GummyIII; beachn4fun

Well ladies ~ gotta go bathe the little one and get him ready for his 2 mo. checkup!! See ya in a bit!!

348 posted on 01/04/2005 9:24:44 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

too bad we can't give him to the WOMEN of our tribe to deal with (as he has abused WOMEN & CHILDREN).

THAT is TRULY a "fate worse than death"!

NOTE: in the OLD DAYS some "guests" of the Cherokee ladies LIVED 2-3 WEEKS & prayed for death CONSTANTLY!

that IS what the scum DESERVES, imVho!

free dixie,sw

349 posted on 01/04/2005 9:24:56 AM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)

Yeah ~ And when we finish HIM off, you're gettin' a bath!!!

350 posted on 01/04/2005 9:26:06 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

and I'm blaming it on HiJinx.

That's alright. My shoulders are wide...

351 posted on 01/04/2005 9:26:35 AM PST by HiJinx (www .ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Valentine's Day ~ 1/1/05 to 1/21/05)

To: tomkow6; All

see #349!

i am NOT kidding. 2-3 WEEKS!

free dixie,sw

352 posted on 01/04/2005 9:26:45 AM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)

Hey! Good morning! I am really enjoying your countdown posts!! Love the pictures!!!

Thanks

353 posted on 01/04/2005 9:27:20 AM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)

You got that right!! Gotta scoot! :o)

354 posted on 01/04/2005 9:27:23 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)

bye, bye for now!

free dixie,sw

355 posted on 01/04/2005 9:28:27 AM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)

thought you might be interested in this thread.

free dixie,sw

356 posted on 01/04/2005 9:29:45 AM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)

To: Arrowhead1952

Welcome back! It's good to see the temp.'s back. Did you have a good vacation? Sometimes vacation isn't!

357 posted on 01/04/2005 9:31:58 AM PST by luvie (Notice the DUM's don't talk about 3rd-term presidencies since November 2nd--hmmmm??!!)

thanks sw, you always keep me informed!
Ari

358 posted on 01/04/2005 9:32:02 AM PST by ariamne (reformed liberal-Shieldmaiden of the Infidel)

To: stand watie; GummyIII; StarCMC

Hey, whatever works. I just hope the SOB suffers a thousand times over for every single person he beheaded or had beheaded. And, another thousand for each family member of those. I have no sympathy for that TERRORIST. God forgive me for that un-Christian like attitude!!!

359 posted on 01/04/2005 9:33:40 AM PST by beachn4fun ("Resistance is futile, but I may be placated with chocolates")

i do my BEST for our much-beloved COPPERHEADS!

free dixie,sw

360 posted on 01/04/2005 9:34:07 AM PST by stand watie ( being a damnyankee is no better than being a racist. it is a LEARNED prejudice against dixie.)

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