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St MarySt Marys church, Krakow, Polands church, Krakow, Poland----every hour a trumpeter goesevery hour a trumpeter goes

to the balcony and sounds an alarmto the balcony and sounds an alarmthis has been done nearlythis has been done nearly

continuously since the middle of the 13continuously since the middle of the 13thth century. Oncentury. On 24 March24 March

1241, Palm Sunday1241, Palm Sunday, the Mongols burned Krakow to the ground., the Mongols burned Krakow to the ground.

From Krakow the invader moved west to confront an alliedFrom Krakow the invader moved west to confront an allied

European army of local mercenariesEuropean army of local mercenariesTeutonic Knights, KnightsTeutonic Knights, Knights

Templars and HospitallersTemplars and Hospitallersthe flower of Europethe flower of Europes chivalry. Thes chivalry. The

battle was a complete disaster for the Europeans, and within abattle was a complete disaster for the Europeans, and within afew days a second great Christian army was destroyed.few days a second great Christian army was destroyed.

Bewildered European chroniclers could make no sense of it;Bewildered European chroniclers could make no sense of it;

confused by the lightening tactics of the invaders, theyconfused by the lightening tactics of the invaders, they

consistently overestimated their strength at four or five timesconsistently overestimated their strength at four or five times

their actual numbers.their actual numbers.

6000 km6000 km

(3700 mi)(3700 mi)

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Medieval scholarsMedieval scholars depiction of the creatures they thought inhabited the East.depiction of the creatures they thought inhabited the East.

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The Mongols, or Tartars as the Europeans called them, were a racThe Mongols, or Tartars as the Europeans called them, were a race that had emerged from a lande that had emerged from a land

which, to Europeans, was on no known map. The devastation thatwhich, to Europeans, was on no known map. The devastation that had struck Europe had alreadyhad struck Europe had already

been visited upon the entire expanse of Asia. From the Korean pbeen visited upon the entire expanse of Asia. From the Korean peninsula to the River Danube,eninsula to the River Danube,nearly a third of the earthnearly a third of the earths land surfaces land surface had come under the command of one single familyhad come under the command of one single family

and all of i t achieved within f ifty years.and all of i t achieved within f ifty years.

CaspianCaspian

SeaSea

AralAral

SeaSea

Himalayas

Himalayas

LakeLake

BaikalBaikal

GobiGobi

DesertDesert

BlackBlack

SeaSea

Kara KumKara Kum

DesertDesert

Kizil KumKizil Kum

DesertDesert

Genghis KhanGenghis Khanss

MongolsMongols

(Alexander)(Alexander)

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Genghis KhanGenghis Khans achievementss achievements ::

1.1. Mongol war tactics rendered the tactics of medievalMongol war tactics rendered the tactics of medieval

battle in Europe obsoletebattle in Europe obsolete, replacing them with disciplined, replacing them with disciplined

cavalry moving in coordinated units.cavalry moving in coordinated units.

In 25 years the Mongol army subjugated more lands and peopleIn 25 years the Mongol army subjugated more lands and peoplethan Rome had in four centuriesthan Rome had in four centuries (Genghis conquered twice as(Genghis conquered twice as

much land as any other man in history, or 10much land as any other man in history, or 10--11 million contiguous11 million contiguous

square miles).square miles).

3.3. Including 30 modern countries now containing 3+ billion people)Including 30 modern countries now containing 3+ billion people) GenghisGenghisssnew world ordernew world order

----smashed aristocratic privilege and birth in favor of individualsmashed aristocratic privilege and birth in favor of individual

merit, loyalty, and achievementmerit, loyalty, and achievement

----created historycreated historys largest frees largest free--trade zonetrade zone

----at his death (AD 1227), his empire had such a firm foundationat his death (AD 1227), his empire had such a firm foundationthat it lasted for 150 more years (contrast with Alexander, Jthat it lasted for 150 more years (contrast with Alexander, Juliusulius

Caesar, or Napoleon)Caesar, or Napoleon)

4.4. And, yet, Genghis was born, lived his life and died in aAnd, yet, Genghis was born, lived his life and died in a gerger(when he died his(when he died his

burial was kept a secret, the entire region of 3600 miburial was kept a secret, the entire region of 3600 mi being sealed off until thebeing sealed off until therecent fall of the Soviet Union)recent fall of the Soviet Union)

suldesulde

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Gobi Desert

(SilkRoad)

(SilkRoa

d)

(SilkRoad)

Aral Sea

Caspian Sea

Black Sea6000km(3700mi)

9000km(5600mi)

(SilkRoad)

Lake Baikal

~10,000,000 mi~10,000,000 mi//16,000,000 km16,000,000 km

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Features of the plateau:

1. Elevation ~ 4000.

2. Temperatures range 100 to 50 F.3. Poor soils (loose gravel to thin clay).

4. Ground and streams frozen

throughout the winter.

5. Low rainfall = poor agricultural land.

6. But during the summer luxuriousgrass for herds of horses, sheep, goats,

cattle, camels

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gerger oror yurtyurt

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The horse was and is the most important animal to the Mongols:

1. Domesticated 2nd mil lennium BC. in southern Russia.

2. Became essential element of transport, tending herds, and for hunting.

3. With speed and stamina, the key to dominion over the steppe.4. Developed stirrups so they could ride without using reins.

5. Thus, they could fire arrows or use a lasso while at full gallop.

It was these skills that were to contribute to the emergence of Mongol

mili tary power from the heart of the Asian grasslands.

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Gobi Desert

Mongolia

China

The Mongols:

1. developed few technologies, no

manufactures. Demands of seasonal

migrations made this impossible.2. Instead, they developed a dependency

upon the nearby settled societies of the

Middle East and China.

3. Wrought metals, swords, armor, silks,

gold and silver were bought, traded or

stolen.

4. They did not feel inferior to the settled

societies.

5. They rejected Chinese culture and

ideology refusing to see any value in it .

From their perspective the vast majori tyof the Chinese people spent their lives on

their hands and knees scratching away at

the soil, making them of less value than a

horse.

The Chinese, for their part, saw the periodicMongol incursions as a blight, like a

natural disaster that had to be dealt with

by large bribes in return for being left

unharmed, while the horsemen saw the

Chinese as litt le more than a resource to

be plundered.

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Temuchin (Genghis Khan)1167-1227

History for the Mongols literally starts with Genghis

Khan (he had commanded that the Mongols

adopt the Uighur script):

1. According to The Secret Li fe of the Mongols, he

was born into a family of minor, local leaders

2. As a young boy and man

a. he was afraid of dogsb. murdered his half-brother, for which

his mother bitterly rebuked him

c. his father was kil led treacherously by

the Tartars, the most powerful of the

tribes near to him

3. In his twenties, he married his betrothed, Borte,

and had two sons, Jochi and Ogedai, by her

(although he may not have been the father of

Jochi because Borte was kidnapped by another

group and returned pregnant some months

later).

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--AD 1162-1227

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Genghis:

1. Promulgated his Yasa, or legal code:

a. religious tolerance

b. priests paid no taxesc. death penalty for espionage,

desertion, theft, adultery, and

for any merchant who went

bankrupt for a third time.

2. Reorganized his army:a. all males over age 14 were

expected to join, bringing 4-5

horses with them.

b. organized mil itary camps by the

10s

c. required that all horsemen wearstandard clothing, including a

silk shirt that made it easier to

extract an arrow shot into

ones body

d. a tunic was worn and a cuirass

made of leather-covered iron

scales.

e. each soldier carried a leather-

covered wicker shield and a

leather or iron helmet

f. each soldier was armed with twocomposite bows, and a quiver

of 60+ arrows.

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Composite bow:Composite bow:

1.1. bamboo and yak hornbamboo and yak horn

bound with silk and resinbound with silk and resin

2.2. 165165--lb pulllb pull3.3. range 200range 200--300 yards300 yards

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Mongol Battle Formations:Mongol Battle Formations:

1.1. Moving BushMoving Bush oror Tumbleweed FormationTumbleweed Formation : dispersed: dispersed

squads of ten (squads of ten (arbanarban) advance severally and silently) advance severally and silentlyfrom different directions in predawn darkness, preventifrom different directions in predawn darkness, preventingng

enemy from seeing how many there wereenemy from seeing how many there were after attackafter attack

they flee in different directions preventing retaliatiothey flee in different directions preventing retaliation.n.

2.2. Lake FormationLake Formation : long line of troops advances, fires its: long line of troops advances, fires its

arrows, then is replaced by another linearrows, then is replaced by another line lines come inlines come in

wave after wave, overwhelming enemy.wave after wave, overwhelming enemy.

3.3. Chisel FormationChisel Formation : narrow across the front but extremely: narrow across the front but extremely

deep, allowing Mongols to channel maximum force to onedeep, allowing Mongols to channel maximum force to one pointpoint

against the lines of the enemy.against the lines of the enemy.

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A i h f G hi KhA i th f G hi Kh ifi iifi ti

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AD 1211, 1213, 1214

500,000mi500,000mi

Genghis Khan: AD 1162Genghis Khan: AD 1162--12271227

ChungChung--tutu

AD 1211, 1213, 1214

500,000mi500,000mi

Asia on the eve of Genghis KhanAsia on the eve of Genghis Khans unifications unification

of Mongolia and his invasions of Chinaof Mongolia and his invasions of China

ChungChung--tutu

2111 AD2111 AD:: Genghis and his horde attacked China and destroyed a force of 70,000destroyed a force of 70,000 in a few hours, thenwithdrew--equivalent to Hannibal

Autumn of 1213Autumn of 1213:: Mongols returned to Chin territory again, kil ling 1000s of peoplekil ling 1000s of people gathered up

huge amounts of booty, plus 100s of young childrenbooty, plus 100s of young children to take back as slaves stil l, had no incl ination

to stay and rule.

Autumn of 1214Autumn of 1214:: they laid siege to Chunglaid siege to Chung--tutu, until i ts inhabitants were forced into cannibalizing the

dead. Once inside the city walls, horsemen rode the streets fir ing incendiary arrows into the woodenhouses, kil led 1000s (visit ing ambassador from the Khwarazm Shah reported that the streets were

lit tered with human carcasses and greasy with their fat).

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Great Walls:

from 4th

c. BC to 17th

c. ADMing Dynasty (13th-17th in red

to north and east of Beijing)

Gobi Desert

M O N G O L I A

C H I N A BeijingBeijing

R U S S I A

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According to one ancient legend, aAccording to one ancient legend, a

Chinese official named WanChinese official named Wan--HuHu

attempted to fly to the moon usingattempted to f ly to the moon usinga large wicker chair to which werea large wicker chair to which were

fastened 47 large rockets.fastened 47 large rockets.

Forty seven assistants, each armedForty seven assistants, each armed

with torches, rushed forward to lightwith torches, rushed forward to light

the fuses. In a moment there was athe fuses. In a moment there was atremendous roar accompanied bytremendous roar accompanied by

billowing clouds of smoke.billowing clouds of smoke.

When the smoke cleared, the flyingWhen the smoke cleared, the flying

chair and Wanchair and Wan--Hu were gone.Hu were gone.

(Illustration courtesy of United States(Illustration courtesy of United States

Civil Air Patrol)Civil Air Patrol)

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The Chin in Retreat

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Genghis Khan sent a caravan of 450 Muslim merchantsGenghis Khan sent a caravan of 450 Muslim merchants

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~15

00mi

~150

0mi

~2

500mi

~2

500mi

(3,750,000 mi(3,750,000 mi))

AD 1216 - 1225

Result:Result: Genghis attacked the Khwarazmian Empire:Genghis attacked the Khwarazmian Empire:

Mongol army grew toMongol army grew to 150,000150,000--200,000200,000 (one(one--half the size of Shahhalf the size of Shahs army).s army).

He divided his force in four, Genghis and his corps quietly disaHe divided his force in four, Genghis and his corps quietly disappearing in theppearing in the Kizil KumKizil Kum

DesertDesert NE of Khwarazm ShahNE of Khwarazm Shahs territory.s territory.

400 miles later, they reappeared on the outskirts of Bukhara400 miles later, they reappeared on the outskirts of Bukhara Turkish forceTurkish force guarding theguarding thecity burst from the gates to attack Genghiscity burst from the gates to attack Genghis force and wereforce and were slaughtered to a manslaughtered to a man. (A Persian. (A Persian

historian later described the scene as ahistorian later described the scene as a tray filled with bloodtray filled with blood ))

gg

from Mongol territory to init iate the trade agreementfrom Mongol terri tory to ini tiate the trade agreement butbut

the Shah had all of them killed. Genghis then sent 3 morethe Shah had all of them killed. Genghis then sent 3 more

envoys to demand reparations ... the Khwarazm Shah hadenvoys to demand reparations ... the Khwarazm Shah had

one killed and the beards burnt off the other two.one killed and the beards burnt off the other two.

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Genghis rode into the largestGenghis rode into the largest

mosque thinking it was themosque thinking it was the

SultanSultans palace. When he wass palace. When he wastold what it really was, he orderedtold what it really was, he ordered

it turned into stables, with theit turned into stables, with the

cases used to store the Korancases used to store the Koran

used as mangers. As copies ofused as mangers. As copies of

the Koran were thrown to the fourthe Koran were thrown to the fourwinds, he mounted the pulpit andwinds, he mounted the pulpit and

lectured the citizens about thelectured the cit izens about the

treachery of their Sultan.treachery of their Sultan. I amI am

the punishment of Godthe punishment of God

In Samarqand:In Samarqand: Mongols killedMongols kil led

30,000 Turkish troops, raped the30,000 Turkish troops, raped the

women, spared the clerics, sentwomen, spared the clerics, sent

the artisans to Mongoliathe artisans to Mongolia

In Bukhara:In Bukhara: 30,000 killed;30,000 killed;

women and children sold intowomen and children sold into

slaveryslavery

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A scene from a Persian manuscript, theA scene from a Persian manuscript, the Shah NamahShah Namah oror Book of Kings,Book of Kings,

showing the execution of a prisoner, while others have been burishowing the execution of a prisoner, while others have been buried upsideed upsidedown alive indown alive in typical brutal Mongol fashion.typical brutal Mongol fashion.

After the Mongol attacks the Persian qanats were neglected the system silted

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After the Mongol attacks, the Persian qanats were neglected, the system silted

up and Persia reverted to desert.

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~200

0

~200

0

mimi

~1000mi

~1000mi

(~2,000,000 mi(~2,000,000 mi))

Mongol invasion of Russia and Eastern EuropeMongol invasion of Russia and Eastern EuropeAD 1241AD 1241

Mongol armyMongol army100,000: four forces100,000: four forces(under Baidar, Kadan, Batu, and(under Baidar, Kadan, Batu, and

Subedai)Subedai)

Prince Ogedai, now the Great Khan,Prince Ogedai, now the Great Khan,

stayed in Mongoliastayed in Mongolia

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The Thirteenth EcumenicalThe Thirteenth Ecumenical

Council convened in LyonsCouncil convened in Lyons

Cathedral in June 1245 byCathedral in June 1245 by

Pope Innocent IV at whichPope Innocent IV at which

the great threat from thethe great threat from the

Mongols was discussed.Mongols was discussed.

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A letter from Guyuk KhanA letter from Guyuk Khan

to the Pope via his envoyto the Pope via his envoy

to Qaraqorum:to Qaraqorum:

I do not understand theseI do not understand thesewords of yours. [Eternalwords of yours. [Eternal

Heaven] has slain andHeaven] has slain and

annihilated these peoplesannihilated these peoples

[of Europe] because they[of Europe] because theyadhered neither to Genghisadhered neither to Genghis

Khan nor to Ogedei. ThouKhan nor to Ogedei. Thou

who art the Great Pope,who art the Great Pope,

come in person to serve us.come in person to serve us.

If you do not observe GodIf you do not observe Godss

command, I shall know youcommand, I shall know you

as my enemy.

The Mongols recruited Chinese and Persian engineers to construct

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The Mongols recruited Chinese and Persian engineers to construct

siege machinery in attacking Russian and European cities.

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Battle of the River Sajo:Battle of the River Sajo:

King Bela of HungaryKing Bela of Hungarywith cavalry of 100,000with cavalry of 100,000

(easily the best in Europe)(easily the best in Europe)

VS.VS.

BatuBatuss

force offorce of

40,000 Mongols40,000 Mongols

(30,000 more under(30,000 more under

Subedai move intoSubedai move into

position at end ofposition at end of

battle)battle)

Mongols do one of theirMongols do one of their

surroundssurrounds

and let loose a hail of arrowsand let loose a hail of arrows----

the result is the death of 60,000 ofthe result is the death of 60,000 of

the European troopsthe European troops

BatuBatus 40,000 vs. Belas 40,000 vs. Belas 100,000s 100,000

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At the end of 10 April 1241 an army that had traveledAt the end of 10 April 1241 an army that had traveled

nearly 6000 km (3700 mi) from the eastern steppes ofnearly 6000 km (3700 mi) from the eastern steppes of

Asia was now in complete command of the HungarianAsia was now in complete command of the Hungarianplain, and no power seemed to stand in the way of it andplain, and no power seemed to stand in the way of it and

the Atlantic Ocean . . . except that Ogedai diedthe Atlantic Ocean . . . except that Ogedai died

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(~1,000,000 mi(~1,000,000 mi))

HuleguHulegus invasion of Persia and Syria in AD 1256s invasion of Persia and Syria in AD 1256

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The standard bearers of Mustasim, theThe standard bearers of Mustasim, the

Caliph of Baghdad. Preoccupied withCaliph of Baghdad. Preoccupied with

spiri tual mattersspiri tual matters, he badly neglected the, he badly neglected the

defense of his city.defense of his city.

The Mongols engaged in the siege of aThe Mongols engaged in the siege of a

city, possibly Baghdad.city, possibly Baghdad. HuleguHulegus army iss army is

employing a pontoon bridge to cross theemploying a pontoon bridge to cross the

moat. (Both illustrations from the ms. ofmoat. (Both illustrations from the ms. of

Rashid alRashid al--Din.)Din.)