As a huge fan of history. It still boggles my mind how the greatest continious land empire ever doesn't really get much recognition from people nowadays. Maybe it's because their institutions really didn't last long after they conquered or that thee empire itself started to fracture after Ogedai's death. Or maybe because they also slaughtered and committed genocide on millions of people during their campaigns. But, by hell were they not the most fearsome conquerers the world had ever seen.
The whole rise and expansion of the Mongols under Genghis (And continued invasions by his heirs after his death) is likely the greatest ever in history. Compared to Alexander the Great whose father had laid down most of the ground work forn him...Genghis rose from the steppess of Mongolia to lead a nation of nomads to conquer the known world.
It's a feat that simoly can't be underestimated Without him so much of history would not be the same, whilst so many other civilisations and great conquerors were part of an existing dynasty...the Mongols literally came out of nowhere, as if they were some divine force or alien Invaders sent to punish the people of Earth. Imo, it was the closest real life representation of what a Tyranid or Zerg invasion would have been like. It's just fascinating to read up on so many of the military feats the empire was able to pull off. From the invasion of Eastern Europe by Tsuobotai, the destruction of Baghdad, the subjugation of the Southern Song (who some say were the most advanced civilization at the time). Even their failed ventures were epic and badass in scope, such as attempting to invade Japan twice, I feat considered impossible even by the US during World War II ..and this was during the 13th century.
Just look at this map that compares the Mongol Empire at it's height to the Roman Empire:
Simply stunning.
The whole rise and expansion of the Mongols under Genghis (And continued invasions by his heirs after his death) is likely the greatest ever in history. Compared to Alexander the Great whose father had laid down most of the ground work forn him...Genghis rose from the steppess of Mongolia to lead a nation of nomads to conquer the known world.
It's a feat that simoly can't be underestimated Without him so much of history would not be the same, whilst so many other civilisations and great conquerors were part of an existing dynasty...the Mongols literally came out of nowhere, as if they were some divine force or alien Invaders sent to punish the people of Earth. Imo, it was the closest real life representation of what a Tyranid or Zerg invasion would have been like. It's just fascinating to read up on so many of the military feats the empire was able to pull off. From the invasion of Eastern Europe by Tsuobotai, the destruction of Baghdad, the subjugation of the Southern Song (who some say were the most advanced civilization at the time). Even their failed ventures were epic and badass in scope, such as attempting to invade Japan twice, I feat considered impossible even by the US during World War II ..and this was during the 13th century.
Just look at this map that compares the Mongol Empire at it's height to the Roman Empire:
Simply stunning.
