Civilization · 1206 – 1368
Mongol Empire
The largest contiguous land empire in history.
Capital: Karakorum, Khanbaliq (Beijing) · Central Asia
Overview
Genghis Khan united the steppe tribes in 1206 and launched conquests that reached from Korea to Poland. The Pax Mongolica opened Eurasia to unprecedented trade and cultural exchange.
Timeline
- 1206Temüjin proclaimed Genghis Khan
- 1227Death of Genghis; empire divided among sons
- 1258Hulagu sacks Baghdad
- 1271Kublai founds the Yuan in China
- 1368Ming expel the Yuan
Rulers
Founder
Great Khan of European campaigns
Founder of the Yuan
Wars & conflicts
- Mongol conquests of China, Persia, Rus'
- Invasions of Japan
- Ain Jalut (1260)
Architecture
Portable ger (yurt), Karakorum's silver tree, Yuan palaces at Khanbaliq.
Religion
Tengrism; wide tolerance of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism.
Economy
Yam relay stations, paper money, taxed but protected caravan trade.
Technology
Composite bow, siege engineers absorbed from China and Persia, ordnance.
Art
Cross-cultural: Persian miniature and Chinese porcelain flowered under Mongol patronage.
Influence
Redrew Eurasia; enabled Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Black Death transmission.
Decline
Successor khanates fragmented; the Ming, Timurids and Muscovy rolled back Mongol rule.
Key sites
- Karakorum
- Erdene Zuu Monastery
- Xanadu (Shangdu)