The Mongols of Genghis Khan
In the early 12th century, many Turkish-Mongolian nomadic tribes, similar in language, culture and lifestyle, used to live in the steppe plateau of Central Asia. These groups had gathered into small tribes, mostly composed of one family, armed and determined to defend their pastures and cattle. The tribes were headed by the most powerful clans, who decided when and where to pitch camp or pasture their cattle and who to fight. The weakest families still had authority and kept possession of their animals, but had to pay a tribute to the ruling clan. Nomadic life did not make the tribes completely self-sufficient, so they often raided and forayed the rich neighbouring regions of China. China, to defend itself militarily and politically, skilfully took advantage of the disagreements existing among different chieftains, granting some tribes honorific titles and food supplies in return for watching over its boundaries.
Later on, through the intense trades of Chinese and Muslim merchants, the Mongolian economy remarkably developed. The Mongols adopted paper money as a medium of exchange whose value was ensured by the Great Khan. The paper they used was made from mulberry bark, the bills were black and bore the emperor’s seal. If a bill was damaged, the owner could change it at the imperial mint, paying three per cent of its face value for the service. In addition, they built hotels, markets, borders posts and many roads in the Mongolian territory.
The legendary Gengis Khan
The exact date of birth of Temujin (Genghis Khan’s true name) is not known. According to Persian sources, he was born in 1155, and in 1162, 1167 or 1176 according to others. In 1206, Temujin, for his political and military skills, was appointed head of all Mongols with the title of Genghis Khan. From then on, his armies invaded the north of China and entered Peking. In 1215, the Mongolian empire stretched to Tibet and Turkestan. In a few decades, the Mongols invaded Afghanistan, went round the Caspian, the Russian plains and settled in Baghdad, the historical Arabic capital, killing the last caliph. When Genghis Khan died in 1227, the Mongolian empire was disintegrated by conflicts among its successors. China invaded Mongolia and set fire to the capital of the empire, but could not completely rule over its territory.
Special reports
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...
-
6 February 2017
Robotics: environmental monitoring and more
More than 830 events were organised in 30 countries during the European Robotics Week (18-27 November)
22 September 2015
An artificial paradise under the sea
Artificial reefs are submerged man-made structures fostering marine biodiversity...
-
10 February 2014
Coral turns pale!
The coral reef is one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity...
29 April 2013
Intruders in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea has always been considered of fundamental importance...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
-
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...
6 February 2017
Robotics: environmental monitoring and more
More than 830 events were organised in 30 countries during the European Robotics Week (18-27 November)
-
22 September 2015
An artificial paradise under the sea
Artificial reefs are submerged man-made structures fostering marine biodiversity...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
-
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
-
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...
From the Multimedia section
Facts
-
By train through the steppe
Number Three, this is the official name of the express train (also called Trans-Mongolian Railway)...
Sputnik in the steppe
The steppe was the protagonist of one of the most important events in the history of space explorations. The very…
-
By train through the steppe
Number Three, this is the official name of the express train (also called Trans-Mongolian Railway)...
-
Sputnik in the steppe
The steppe was the protagonist of one of the most important events in the history of space explorations. The very…
-
By train through the steppe
Number Three, this is the official name of the express train (also called Trans-Mongolian Railway)...
-
Sputnik in the steppe
The steppe was the protagonist of one of the most important events in the history of space explorations. The very…