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

[darkwing104]

Good Morning Canteen FReepers. Just fininshed PT with 65 days left on Active duty.

T-65 X-Wing....

[darkwing104]

Good Morning Canteen FReepers. Just fininshed PT with 65 days left on Active duty.

T-65 X-Wing....

[Soaring Feather]

~I Feel Good~

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Short Timer!

[ariamne]

Good morning my friends!

Its a rainy chilly morning in New York; but despite all the bad news in the world, I give thanks to God to all of you here in the Canteen! Now, on to my first cup of Joe (that dates me!) and get to work...

[Soaring Feather]

WOO HOO 65
Morning, darkwing!
I don't know what it is-it just goes real fast!!
I'm a Blonde you know! LOL

[tomkow6]

Hi, Ariamne!

Welcome to the Canteen!

Wanna buy a burka?

 

[darkwing104]

Good Morning Tomkow! Is it snowing yet?

[ariamne]

LOL! With what the rain is doing to my hair, today I just might!

[darkwing104]

That is the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

How are you this morning?

[HiJinx]

You can't read this till morning. I won't let you.

Lucky you (lucky me?), I did log off right after that post. Yes, we slept well, thank you. For the first time in a week, breakfast actually tasted like it was supposed to. I think she's out of the woods. I'm not real fond of winter weather and all the troubles it brings. That's one reason we're in Arizona and not somewhere else!

[tomkow6]

It's supposed to start later on tonite, & we're supposed to get dumped on tomorrow. Guess I'll have to get the snow blower out of the storage shed tonight!

[Soaring Feather]

Doing very well thank you!!

Thanks for the info. Always best to ask the experts. :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

It was in the upper 30s and lower 40s all day yesterday. GRRRRRR!!! It is a mess! Stay safe.

[beachn4fun]

Whew! It must be nice. You're posting this at 9-something a.m. and just now talking about getting coffee (joe) and going to work! Our new best friend??? LOL

I, however, have been at work since 6 a.m.

[blackie]

The eyes have it ~ Bump!

[Kathy in Alaska]

65 and counting! Good morning, darkwing. Morning PT...must have warmed up. Thanks for helping to keep the world safe for all of us.

And just in case you need more coffee and a snack...

[tomkow6]

........you work??????????????????????

[blackie]

The Mongols ~ hot drinks and chow with Tonk ~ Bump!

[blackie]

Medal of Honor Citations ~ Bump!