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

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

[LaDivaLoca]

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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

[mylife]

The Grapes On the Farm

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh yes.. Stephen is the wreckapotamus and he is a growing 2 1/2 yr old - who runs at top speed and NEVER sleeps... unless he is doin a growth thing. Ma can tell you all about my little guy since she is so kind to listen to the silly stories! AND he is an eatin ( and poopin) machine these days!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

UhOH! What happened!?!?! LOL!

[mylife]

L0L yup they are lil "S"pump wreckin machines ;^)

But gosh they are cute when they are sleeping L0L

[HiJinx]

Computer Virus gone haywire?

[Radix]

The lack of public restrooms in Iraq has seriously impacted morale.

  

Thats all folks!

[Colonel_Flagg]

Well, my Vikings appear to be stinking up the joint and my Gophers can't beat a decent team. Other than that we are fine! :)

[StarCMC]

Yours.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Angelic! So my little angel is now asleep and I am going to put him into bed and head that way myself.. Goodnight- sleep tight!~

Don't
Let
the
Bedbugs

Bite you!
:]

[HiJinx]

Yippee!

Need to go check out the new thread...

[mylife]

Sociable Jimmy

[Kathy in Alaska]

I made it home. The roads are clear of ice, but very WET!! My neighborhood is a different story. No matter where you look, all you see is shiny ice. Tippy toeing is the order of the day. I still had trouble turning at the same corner as last night's slide. Then on my street I stood on the brakes just to see how far I'd slide (I made sure there were no parked cars or mailboxes I could spin into.). I slid quite nicely.

[StarCMC]

Spin Doctors - Little Miss Can't Be Wrong

[Kathy in Alaska]

Piper's Poppa.....#600!!

[mylife]

L0L..Night lil Diva

My little pup is playing the baby game and is sacked out hard, but I'll stay up for another Hr myself.

Rest well.. have a good cuddle with the boy ;^)

[HiJinx]

I slid quite nicely.

That sounds a bit twisted...

[StarCMC]

LOL! That's a classic Storm Trooper pic.

[AZamericonnie]

I stood on the brakes just to see how far I'd slide

Chuckle... were you were playing! *L* So glad you made it home safely. I just have images in my head now of you being, I dunno, fun on the roads!!!

[AZamericonnie]

Star, my computer ISP was giving me grief earlier...LIL'Jacob is an absolute angel. You are so blessed. And I'm sure deserving.

[mylife]

Hello Ladies....Im so sorry I didnnt see you, My Beeper must be Stuned! L0L

I hads the durn thing turned on.

Ms Feathers..."whispers in the dark" is Beautiful, thank you ;^)