Those evil Mongols...???

The Mongols, the intimidating monters from the east. They terrorized and raided villages for whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it. Taking it in gruesome manners. This is what history teaches us usually. I was shocked but some of the things that Strayer says about them. For example, they did not force religion upon their subjects, their rulers were humble men that looked to shamans for advice and guidance so to give their people the best chance to survive, and they were smart enough to salvage the people of specialty in order to use in their society rather than just kill them to prove they are the all powerful.

The Mongol nation were though who teachers tell their students about. The policy by Chinggis Khan exemplified that: Whoever submits shall be spared, but those who resist, they shall be destroyed with their wives, children and dependents...so that the others who hear and see should fear and not act the same. That is quite a message and one that all should believe unless they have a nation and an army so overwhelming in numbers that they do not have to be threatened.

I am impressed by the census taking that they did also. Khan was smart and wanted to know exactly what he had available to him in terms of military assisitance. He seemed to be a very intelligent leadr. Also impressive was the relay stations they set up to estabalish faster communications and trade. Inviting all faiths seems smart because it makes all your conquered citizens able to still follow their faith and not feel trapped by their conquerers religion of choice.

I also found very interesting the story or Khutukun. This women who wrestled men and defeated them all and then refused to marry a man because she was supposed to. It was cool to see she said she would marry a man that could defeat her and it never happened. Also the fact that she was on the battlefield right next to her father was awesome. For so long I have wondered if there was a society that gave women more freedom and equality anmd it seems that the Mongol nation did so a bit. When her father died it is said that he wanted her to take his place though with 13 brothers in line that was shot down. The fact that it was even an option speaks highly of her abilities in life to lead and on the battle field. The fact that it is unknown whether she died in battle or by assassination is weird though I would not doubt that it was assassination by one of her brothers who may have been jealous and feared her power.

I have found the Mongol empire very interesting and plan to look into it more to get a better understanding of these people.