[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Genghis Khan
Genghis khan is one of history's most charismatic and dynamic leaders. During his lifetime, he conquered more territory than any other conqueror, and his successors established the largest contiguous empire in history. He united the Mongol tribes and founded the Mongol Empire (1206-1368), which is regarded as second largest empire in the world history.
Genghis khan, originally named Temujin, was born on the banks of the Onon River, near the present-day border between northern Mongolia and southeastern Russia. He was the second son of Yesukhei, a tribal chief of the Kiyad. His mother was named Hoelun and was of the Olkhunut tribe. Temujin was named after one of the most powerful chiefs of a rival tribe which his father, Yesukhei, had recently defeated. His father delivered him to his future wife's family when he was only nine. When Temujin turned twelve, his father was poisoned by Tatars and so he returned to his family.
According to the primary source of information on Temujin's life, The Secret History of the Mongols, he endured many hardships, including the kidnapping of his wife Borte, but he slowly recruited supporters and assumed a mantle of leadership among the Mongols (Timothy May). He united the Mongol tribes one by one and in 1206 was titled Genghis Khan – “Lord of the Ocean-Encircled Lands” or "emperor of all emperors". Slowly he raised his people from nomads to empire builders by adopting the Uighur script for their language and by compiling the Great Yasa, a law code based on the Mongols’ ancient shamanistic beliefs (J. Yim Kai Mun). This, more than his conquests, was probably his greatest accomplishment.
Genghis had a striking figure with his long reddish hair, blue eyes, and strapping frame, but it was more than his outward appearance that inspired respect, loyalty, and devotion in his people....
