7.3 Mongolian Empire.notebook 1 November 05, 2014 Apr 204:56 PM Mongol Empire The Mongols were groups of tribes that lived in an area of Asia known as the steppe At first, they were divided into clans (tribes) that lived a nomadic/pastoral lifestyle Once the all the Mongol clans were united by Genghis Khan, they created the largest land empire in history, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Western Europe (Russia) Apr 205:04 PM Geography of the Eurasian Steppe • The steppe experiences severe temp. changes 57* F. in winter, 96* F. in the summer • Some areas of the steppe receive about 4" of rain/year ** The nomadic movements of the Mongols followed a predictable path based on the changing of the seasons Apr 205:30 PM Rise of the Mongols For centuries, the Mongol people lived in the eastern steppe in loosely organized clans Around 1200, Temujin sought to unify the clans under one ruler to create the Mongolian Empire Temujin defeated the Mongol clans one by one, and eventually was given the title Genghis Khan or 'universal ruler' The Mongolian Soldier Expert horsemen (stirrup) Could travel up to 120 miles/day by horseback Used silk underarmor Weapons: lance, daggar, bow & arrows Apr 205:47 PM Genghis Khan’s Tax Laws: • If you do not pay homage, we will take your prosperity. • If you do not have prosperity, we will take your children. • If you do not have children, we will take your wife. • If you do not have a wife, we will take your head. Apr 205:48 PM The Mongol Empire Genghis Khan died in 1227 AD For the next 50 years his successors continued to expand the Mongolian Empire 1260 = Mongolian Empire was divided into four Khanates In 1279 AD the Mongolian Empire reached its peak, controlling most of Asia, Russia, and parts of the Byzantine Empire Feb 612:40 PM Mongols as Rulers Many areas that the Mongols invaded never recovered from the devastation The Mongols often times let the conquered areas keep their own culture, as long as they paid tribute/taxes In many cases the Mongols would assimilate to the culture of the people they conquered