Genghis Khan
Temüjin, the steppe chieftain's son who united the Mongols and founded their empire.
via Wikipedia: Genghis Khan · see source
Genghis Khan, born Temüjin and also written Chinggis Khan, founded the Mongol Empire and was its first khan. He spent most of his life bringing the Mongol tribes under one rule, then turned outward in campaigns that took large parts of China and Central Asia. He died in August 1227, on the 18th or the 25th. His legacy is divided: his armies killed millions, yet his conquests opened wide channels of trade and cultural contact. Russia and the Arab world long remembered him as a savage tyrant, while in Mongolia he is honoured as the founding father of the nation.
Quick Facts
- Reign
- 1206 – August 1227
- Successor
- Tolui (regent), Ögedei Khan
- Birth name
- Temüjin
- Born
- c. 1162
- Birthplace
- Khentii Mountains
- Died
- 18 or 25 August 1227 (aged around 65)
- Place of death
- Xingqing, then part of Western Xia
- Spouse
- Börte, See full list
Facts from the source article.
Background
Temüjin was the eldest child of Yesugei, a Borjigin chieftain, and his wife Hö'elün; his birth year is argued over, with 1155, 1162 and 1167 all proposed and 1162 the most widely accepted. When he was eight his father died and the tribe deserted the family, leaving them close to poverty. He killed his half-brother Behter to protect his standing, then built alliances with Jamukha and Toghrul, with whom he rescued his kidnapped bride Börte. His bond with Jamukha later turned to war. Returning to prominence in 1196, he survived a surprise attack by Toghrul in 1203 and defeated him, then crushed the Naiman and put Jamukha to death, leaving no rival on the steppe.
Did You Know?
- The spelling "Genghis" entered English in the 18th century from a misreading of Persian sources.
- His grandson Kublai Khan, founder of the Yuan dynasty in 1271, gave him the temple name Taizu.
- The Secret History of the Mongols portrays him as indecisive and afraid of dogs.
- He believed the sky deity Tengri had destined him for world rule.
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