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Temujin

The birth name of Genghis Khan, born into the Borjigin clan around 1162.

Genghis Khan

The title taken by Temujin after uniting the Mongolian tribes in 1206 and founding the Mongol Empire.

Hoelun

Mother of Genghis Khan, who raised her children under difficult circumstances and instilled resilience and leadership values.

Borte

Genghis Khan's first wife, whose kidnapping and rescue were pivotal in solidifying tribal alliances.

Torogene

Wife of Ogedei Khan, influential in political decisions and court management during his reign.

Sorghaghtani

Mother of Kublai Khan, known for her intelligence and diplomatic skills in maintaining Mongol unity.

Boraqchin

A wife of Genghis Khan who managed tribal leadership and resources during his absence.

Tengri

The sky god central to Tengriism, representing Mongolian spiritual beliefs and connection to nature.

Hulagu Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan who led the Mongol invasion of the Middle East and sacked Baghdad in 1258.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan who established the Yuan dynasty in China and promoted trade and cultural exchange.

The Four Khanates

The division of the Mongol Empire into four regions:Golden Horde, Chagatai Khanate, Ilkhanate, and Yuan dynasty.

al-Mansur

Influential Abbasid caliph known for his patronage of science and culture, establishing Baghdad as a learning center.

Abbasids

A dynasty that ruled the Islamic caliphate from 750 to 1258, known for cultural and scientific achievements.

Marco Polo

Venetian merchant and explorer whose accounts introduced Europeans to the wealth of the Mongol Empire.

1162-1227

Lifespan of Genghis Khan, during which he transformed Mongolian society and established a vast empire.

1258

The year Hulagu Khan sacked Baghdad, leading to the collapse of the Abbasid Caliphate.

1271

Start of Marco Polo’s journey to Asia, lasting nearly 25 years and detailing Mongol cultures and economies.

1206-1368

Timeframe of the Mongol Empire’s dominance, marked by expansion and establishment of trade networks.

Mongolian steppe

A vast grassland region that supported the nomadic lifestyle of the Mongols.

Baghdad

Once the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, a cultural hub until its destruction.

Beijing

Capital of the Yuan dynasty under Kublai Khan, transformed into a political and cultural center.

Nomadism/pastoralism

A lifestyle that allowed Mongols to adapt to harsh environments through seasonal herding.

Tengriism

A belief system emphasizing the worship of Tengri and ancestor veneration in Mongolian society.

Shamanism

A practice in Mongolian spirituality involving shamans as intermediaries between physical and spiritual worlds.

Aristocracy

The ruling class in Mongolian society, composed of noble families influencing political decisions.

Meritocracy

Genghis Khan's promotion of individuals based on skill and loyalty, enhancing administration and military.

Mandate of Heaven

A Chinese concept justifying the right to rule, significant for legitimizing Mongol rule in China.

Religious tolerance

The Mongols' practice of allowing various faiths to coexist, maintaining peace within the empire.

Siege tactics

Sophisticated techniques used by the Mongols, including catapults and psychological strategies.

Psychological warfare

The use of fear and rumors by the Mongols to intimidate enemies into surrendering.

Utilitarianism

Mongol policies reflecting a focus on the greatest good for the empire’s stability and prosperity.

Deontology

A strong sense of duty among Mongol leaders to uphold oaths and loyalty to allies.

Line of succession

A clear succession plan established by Genghis Khan for political stability after his death.

Value system

Mongolian culture emphasizing loyalty, bravery, and honor in social interactions and governance.

Translation Movement

The translation of texts during the Islamic Golden Age that advanced science and philosophy.

House of Wisdom

An intellectual center in Baghdad where scholars collaborated, preserving and advancing knowledge.

Khan

A title indicating leadership, often hereditary but also earned through capability and loyalty.

Khanate

Regions ruled by a khan, each with its own administrative structure reflecting local cultures.

Concubine

Women recognized in a man's household, often bearing children and forming alliances.

Caliph

The political and spiritual leader of the Islamic community, overseeing governance and religious affairs.

Cal