Mongols

Steppe

A large area of flat unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or Siberia.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Marco Polo followed the route on his journey to Cathay.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture based on herding domesticated animals.

Ghengis Khan

Mongol leader who led their conquest westward and who is renowned for his ability and his ruthlessness.

Pax Mongolica

Era of relative peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire

Religious Toleration

acceptance of people who held different religious beliefs

Black Death/Bubonic Plague

This killed between one-third and two-thirds of the population in less than five years. The epidemic spanned from China to England to North Africa, transmitted along the Silk Road and other trade routes.

Mecca

Muhammed's hometown where he spread the belief in one God and Islam's most holy city