History of Mongolia: Genghis Khan to Kubla Khan A history of Mongolia's great leaders in the 1200's, including Genghis Khan to Kubla Khan. It is hard to imagine that the country of Mongolia, desert-like and sparsely populated as it is today, was once the center of a huge empire that stretched from China to Hungary. Even long before the Great Wall of China was constructed, in the third century BC, the Chinese were attempting to build defenses against the Hsiung Nu, later called the Huns. These restless nomads were a terror to every civilization, no matter how strong they might be. The Huns were merciless against resistors and unstoppable on the battlefield. Even into the heart of Europe, the Mongolians raided as far west as Italy and France during the fourth and fifth centuries AD. By 1300 the Mongol empire was the largest the world has ever seen. It is one of the great marvels and mysteries of history. No country or kingdom within 4,000 miles of Mongolia was safe from the attacks of the Mongol hordes. bodyOffer(29657) These were not an industry or technology based people but nomads and farmers. Their way of life depended on animals and animal products. From their sheep, goats and cattle, they got food, clothing, tents and equipment for riding their horses. Horses and camels carried their belongings from one pasture to another. Mongol children learned early how to ride a horse and were often more comfortable on horseback than on foot. | |
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