MONGOL UNIT STUDY GUIDE

Temujin

Birth name of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire.

Genghis Khan

Title meaning "universal ruler," given to Temujin after he united the Mongol tribes.

Hoelun

Mother of Genghis Khan

Borte

First wife of Genghis Khan

Torogene

Wife of Genghis Khan and mother of his successor, Ogedei Khan.

Sorghaghtani

Influential wife of Tolui, Genghis Khan's son, known for her political acumen.

Boraqchin

One of Genghis Khan's wives.

Tengri

The sky god in Mongolian shamanistic beliefs.

Hulagu Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan, known for his conquest of Baghdad in 1258.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan, founder of the Yuan dynasty in China.

The Four Khanates

The four divisions of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan's death:the Golden Horde, Chagatai Khanate, Ilkhanate, and Yuan dynasty.

al-Mansur

Abbasid caliph known for his role in the Islamic Golden Age.

Abbasids

A dynasty that ruled the Islamic caliphate, known for cultural and scientific advancements.

Marco Polo

Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled to Asia and documented his experiences.

1162-1227

Lifespan of Genghis Khan.

1258

Year of the sack of Baghdad by Hulagu Khan.

1271

Year Marco Polo began his journey to Asia.

1206-1368

Time period of the Mongol Empire's dominance.

Mongolian steppe

Vast grassland region that was home to the Mongol nomads.

Baghdad

Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, destroyed by Hulagu Khan.

Beijing

Capital of China, established as the capital of the Yuan dynasty by Kublai Khan.

Nomadism/pastoralism

A lifestyle characterized by moving from place to place for grazing livestock.

Tengriism

A traditional Mongolian belief system centered around the worship of Tengri and nature.

Shamanism

A spiritual practice involving communication with the spirit world, prevalent among Mongolian tribes.

Aristocracy

A social class that holds power and privilege, often based on noble birth.

Meritocracy

A system where individuals are rewarded based on ability and talent rather than social class.

Mandate of Heaven

A Chinese philosophical concept that justified the rule of the emperor as divinely ordained.

Religious tolerance

Acceptance of different religious beliefs and practices.

Siege tactics

Military strategies used to capture fortified places.

Psychological warfare

Tactics aimed at influencing the psychological state of opponents.

Utilitarianism

Ethical theory that promotes actions that maximize happiness and well-being.

Deontology

Ethical theory that emphasizes duties and rules over consequences.

Line of succession

The order in which members of a royal family inherit the throne.

Value system

A set of principles or ideals that guide behavior and decision-making.

Translation Movement

The process of translating texts, particularly in the House of Wisdom, which contributed to the spread of knowledge.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age, located in Baghdad.

Khan

A title for a ruler or leader in Mongolian and Turkic cultures.

Khanate

A political entity ruled by a khan.

Concubine

A woman who is in a recognized relationship with a man but is not his wife.

Caliph

A religious and political leader in Islam, considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Caliphate

A form of Islamic government led by a caliph.

Epitaph

An inscription on a tombstone in memory of the person buried there.

Mosque

A place of worship for Muslims.

Qu’ran

The holy book of Islam.

Astronomy

The scientific study of celestial bodies, which flourished during the Islamic Golden Age.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route connecting the East and West, facilitating cultural and economic exchange.

Polygamy

The practice of having more than one spouse at the same time.

Contiguous

Sharing a common border; touching.

Yurt

A portable, circular dwelling traditionally used by nomadic peoples in Central Asia.

Brocade

A rich fabric woven with a raised pattern, often used in textiles.