01:506:201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Genghis Khan, Kurultai, Horse Culture
17 May 2018
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Chapter 14
The Last Great Nomadic Challenges: From Chinggis Khan to Timur
1. Introduction
1. Mongols ended/interrupted many great postclassical empires
2. Extended world network – foundation for interaction on global
scale
3. Forged mightiest war machine
4. Four khanates – sons divided
1. Ruled for 150 years
2. Last time nomadic peoples dominated sedentary peoples
5. Paradox of rule – fierce fighters vs. tolerant/peaceful leaders
2. The Mongol Empire of Chinggis Khan
1. Introduction
1. difficult to organize before Chinggis Khan
1. divisions/rivalries
2. Khan – astute political strategist/brilliant military
commander
2. Nomadic world – horse culture
1. Lived on herds – meat, milk, traded hides for
grain/vegetables
2. Tough little ponies
3. Children ride from early age
4. Could even sleep/eat on horse
1. Animal power/seasonal migrations
2. Movable shelters
5. Political organization
1. Like Bedouins – kin/clan based – combined in
confederations when needed
2. Men dominated but women could influence
tribal meetings/home
3. Leadership qualities – courage, alliance forging
ability
2. The Making of a Great Warrior: The Early Career of Chinggis
Khan
1. Born Temujin to tribal leader, but father poisoned
2. Imprisoned by rival clan, but escapes
1. Makes alliance with another clan
3. Reputation as warrior/military commander attracted other
clan chiefs
4. 1206 at kuriltai meeting – named khagan – extreme ruler
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3. Building the Mongol War Machine
1. Natural warriors
1. trained from youth to ride/hunt
2. tough, mobile, accustomed to death
3. variety of weapons – lances, hatchets, maces
1. Short bow the best – 400 yard range vs. 250
European
2. Chinggis Khan’s leadership
4. organization, discipline, unity
5. directed fighting spirit toward conquest
6. divided groups into tumens – think centurions of
Rome
2. Messenger force – tightly bandages – ride all day/night
3. Military discipline – killed if flee
4. Generosity fto brave foes
5. Utilized excellent maps
6. New weapons – flaming arrows, gunpowder, siege weapons
1. Willing to adopt from conquered groups
4. Conquest: The Mongol Empire Under Chinggis Khan
1. Ruled over ½ million Mongols
2. Greatest pleasure making war – campaigns
1. fortified cities – willing to adopt weapons of other
nations
1. developed siege weapons
1. rams, catapults, exploding balls
2. bamboo rockets
2. threatened terrifying retribution – surrender or else
1. slaughtered/sold townspeople
2. buildings turned to rubble
3. forced to pay tribute
5. First Assault on the Islamic World: Conquest in China
1. Defeated Turkik ruler to the west – Muhammad Shah II
1. Leader sent back envoys with heads shaved
2. Mongols destroyed with authority
1. Fight, cavalry runs away, followed by other
army, heavy cavalry moves in
2. Battle tactic
3. Defeated Muhammad Shah II and brought in tens of
thousands of horsemen
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
