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]

Safe trip home, Penguin Girl!!

Thanks, Hope, for today's Pledge. It's beautiful.
And thank you, Hope's son, for your service to America.

[AZamericonnie]

Ms,Feather...please rest..I know you missed your home, family, Canteen & must have so much freepmail! But you must take care!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

How did you and mylife pull off the day of recovery before going back to work? Good for the both of you.

[SevenofNine]

Well report off Ny LIARS reporting that Pentagon looking into training of Iraqi troops before January election they worry that we may have another Vietnam reset
Also you know what I wonder if Wash ho's are relief that President Clinton is taking road trip to Thailand for relief effort for tidal wave victims

Just a thought

Rack Mortie Krathuermr run smack chat on Euro saying we are stingy but known fact that US miltary is only miltary trained in disaster relief

Take that Norway

Kathy did you hear on Fox news report I hear that Anchorage FD going to Thailand help on relief effort

[HopeandGlory]

You're very welcome Mayor . . . it's my pleasure to find and post new pledges.

[tomkow6]

If you were Bill Clinton, wouldn't you wanna get away from this????

 

[mylife]

No secret on the extra day off.


I just dipped into 2005's "time off"

Glad I did it too. Got lots done and got to unwind.

[Kathy in Alaska]

So happy to be home.

[HopeandGlory]

Hugs

[tomkow6]

50

[HopeandGlory]

Mine?

[tomkow6]

no........

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, ms feather, for the</i> Canteen Blessing for the Troops.</i>

[HopeandGlory]

BRATTOMKOW

[Soaring Feather]

I am going to take a shower now. You don't send those skunks here!

[Soaring Feather]

HUGS!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, ms feather, for the Canteen Blessing for the Troops.

Thank you, ms feather, for the Canteen Blessing for the Troops.

And this is why we have a Preview button.

[PzLdr]

The Mongols did have their own recorded history , "The Secret History of the Mongols" (see, for example, the adaptation by Paul Kahn). It was meant for members of the various Chinggissid dynasties. Most current adaptations are from the one written by the Yuan Chinese (Kubilai Quan). There was, apparently, a different one done (not yet found) for the Il-Khanate of Persia (Hulegu's appanage). The Secret History traces the Mongols back to their mythical origins, but concentrates on the life of Temuchin, and his son Uggedai. It gives a fascinating insight into the Quan's life, and Mongol society.

The Mongols "borrowed" their written languge from the Uighers, a Turkish tribe they conquered in western Mongolia. Before that they had no written language of their own.

Jamuka was more than Temuchin's friend, he was his Anda, a blood brother, adopted in a ceremony. Their eventual rivalry,and estrangement was caused, in part, according to the Secret Hisory, by Bortei and Temuchin's mother, Houloun; an example of the power and influence wielded by Mongol women (See also Toreghine's regency after Uggedai's death, and Sorghetani Beki's maneuvering to take the Supreme Khanate from the House of Uggedai, and pass it to her son Mongke, son of Temuchin's youngest son, Tolui.

Temuchin's rise brought to his side many of the generals who expanded Mongol power during and after his death, such as Muhuli, Sabotai and Jebe Noyon (the latter two were not Mongol by birth). It also led to the destruction of the Merkits, the Tadijuts, the Tartars, and eventually, the Kerait and Jamuka.

[StarCMC]

Hey there LaDivaLoca! Thanks for today's thread!!