The Mongols Take Over!The Mongols Take Over!

MongolsMongols

What do these images tell you about What do these images tell you about Mongol Culture?Mongol Culture?

House on WheelsHouse on Wheels

Ghengis Khan (1160s- 1227)Ghengis Khan (1160s- 1227)

Blod Clot (a sign from the gods)Blod Clot (a sign from the gods) Born Temujin- Became Ghengis Khan “Universal Born Temujin- Became Ghengis Khan “Universal

Ruler”Ruler” Led Mongols on HorsebackLed Mongols on Horseback Conquered from China to Poland!Conquered from China to Poland! Ruled the SteppeRuled the Steppe Mongolians wereMongolians were Pastoral Pastoral

How “Ghengis” was he?How “Ghengis” was he?

Took over more land in 25 years than the Romans did in 400!Took over more land in 25 years than the Romans did in 400! Empire size of Africa! (11- 12 million square miles!)Empire size of Africa! (11- 12 million square miles!) In today’s world it would be 30 nations and 3 Billion People!In today’s world it would be 30 nations and 3 Billion People! His ascendency would be comparable to an American slave His ascendency would be comparable to an American slave

during the Revolutionary War period leading the revolution during the Revolutionary War period leading the revolution and becoming an American emperor!and becoming an American emperor!

Kublai Khan (1275- 1294) Kublai Khan (1275- 1294)

Ghengis Khan’s Grandson (he had 100s)Ghengis Khan’s Grandson (he had 100s) Took over China in 1275 (Yuan Dynasty)Took over China in 1275 (Yuan Dynasty) China United for first time in 300 yearsChina United for first time in 300 years Increased International Trade (Marco Polo)Increased International Trade (Marco Polo) Tried to Invade Japan (lost to the Samurai and Tried to Invade Japan (lost to the Samurai and

Kamikaze “Divine Winds”- likely a typhoonKamikaze “Divine Winds”- likely a typhoon

Pax MongolicaPax Mongolica

Global Contributions Global Contributions

“ “ The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded The Mongols made no technological breakthroughs, founded no new religions, wrote few books or dramas, and gave the world no new religions, wrote few books or dramas, and gave the world no new crops or methods of agriculture. Their own craftsmen no new crops or methods of agriculture. Their own craftsmen could not weave cloth, cast metal, make pottery, painted no could not weave cloth, cast metal, make pottery, painted no pictures, and built no buildings. Yet, as their army conquered pictures, and built no buildings. Yet, as their army conquered culture after culture, they collected and passed all of these skills culture after culture, they collected and passed all of these skills from one civilization to the next.”from one civilization to the next.”

Marco PoloMarco Polo

““The Travels of Marco Polo”The Travels of Marco Polo”

Served Kublai Khan from 1275- 1292Served Kublai Khan from 1275- 1292 Brought Chinese Items to VeniceBrought Chinese Items to Venice Wrote his accounts in JailWrote his accounts in Jail Was not believed by manyWas not believed by many

XanaduXanadu

Xanadu—Marco PoloXanadu—Marco Polo ““In this city, Kublai Khan made a vast palace of marble cunningly worked In this city, Kublai Khan made a vast palace of marble cunningly worked

and of other fair stone…The halls and rooms and passages are all gilded and and of other fair stone…The halls and rooms and passages are all gilded and wonderfully painted within with pictures and images of bests and birds and wonderfully painted within with pictures and images of bests and birds and trees and flowers and many kinds of things, so well and so cunningly that it trees and flowers and many kinds of things, so well and so cunningly that it is a delight and wonder to see. From this palace is built a second wall which is a delight and wonder to see. From this palace is built a second wall which in the direction opposite to the palace….encloses sixteen miles of land. IT is in the direction opposite to the palace….encloses sixteen miles of land. IT is fortified like a castle in which are fountains and rivers of running water and fortified like a castle in which are fountains and rivers of running water and very beautiful lawns and groves….”very beautiful lawns and groves….”

““The Great Khan keeps all sorts of beasts there, that is, harts and bucks and The Great Khan keeps all sorts of beasts there, that is, harts and bucks and roe deer, and has them given to the falcons….In the middle of the park roe deer, and has them given to the falcons….In the middle of the park where there is a most beautiful grove, the Great Khan has made for his where there is a most beautiful grove, the Great Khan has made for his dwelling a great palace…of bamboo..and on top of each piller is a great dwelling a great palace…of bamboo..and on top of each piller is a great dragon all gilded that winds the tail round the pillar and holds up the ceiling dragon all gilded that winds the tail round the pillar and holds up the ceiling with the head.”with the head.”

Marco Polo, even more amazingly, claimed this whole structure was Marco Polo, even more amazingly, claimed this whole structure was collapsible and portable, just like the modest urts in which the nomadic collapsible and portable, just like the modest urts in which the nomadic Mongols dwelled. Mongols dwelled.

Venice!Venice!