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

[StarCMC]

Thank you SSgt Joseph M!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And back atcha. I didn't "see" you say anything about snow in December. Lots of the Texans had snow. How about you?

[MeekMom]

re: post #12
That's a beautiful picture.

[MeekMom]

what beautiful iris'! Thanks Tonkin!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Fly by post...
Bentfeather!
Get thee to bed, woman!!
Negotiating for Jetta....
Hopefully it will be done by the end of the week!
Hope everyone is well!
Hugs all around!
Ms.B

[HopeandGlory]

It was cold Kathy, but no snow in my part of Texas . . . . ;-)

[mylife]

Good luck on the Jetta

Do you still have the sciracco?

Dont rule out an audi quattro if you can find the funds

[HopeandGlory]

Thank you Meekie . . . HAPPY NEW YEAR . . . to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

OK, I'm in for breakfast. Thanks men in the Military and the Canteen.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Angel Boy.....#50!!!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I still have the Scirocco..
She runs just fine!
I prefer not to drive her in winter..
Replacement parts are outrageous for her..
(She got rear-ended a few winters ago)
An Audi?
Jeepers!
Mr.b is himmin' and hawing' about the Jetta!
This is a nice car, and I really want/need it...
Ms.B

[ariamne]

Bless you for that, StarCMC! Bless you all here at the FR Canteen, I am so grateful to have found such a wonderful patriotic bunch who are not embarrassed by sentimental and God loving displays of American patriotism. My God bless and keep all of you and those who serve.

[PzLdr]

Great plate by Angus McBride of the battle of Liegnitz, April 9th, 1241

[Kathy in Alaska]

So you drove it, and your "mechanic" approved it. Good for you. And good luck.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I love that eagle!! Thanks, AZ.

[AZamericonnie]

I just imagine you as stubborn as me...take CARE!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Well I drove it...
LOVE it!
My mechanic (Mr.B) is a little hesitant...
It IS a large investment for us...
But I think he's caving...
He wants a friend mechanic of his to put it on a lift and give it a going over..I ran out of time today..
I think all will be well..
Ms.B

[mylife]

L0L glad you still have the scirocco, great car.

The quattro is a step up..jetta is a step down IMHO

Can you get 4wd for the scirocco?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Great picture!
I would neve race my Scirocco like that!
I know Audi is a step up..
I can't afford one, my...
Jettas are nice little cars..
Why don't you like them?
Ms.B

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm glad your mechanic will be having another mechanic give it a going over, just in case. This is a good thing.