History is outlined by the legacies of several rigidly characterized groups. One such group is the Mongols, a nomadic tribe notorious for both their alleged depravity and despotic founder, Genghis Khan. However, much of this legacy was founded on myth, as opposed to true barbarism. By definition, in order to be civilized, a group must be intellectually, culturally, socially, and materially advanced in human society. To this end, through their military tactics, religious tolerance, encouragement of the arts, legal system, hospitality, infrastructure, and trade, the civilized nature of the Mongols far outweighs their unfounded legacy of barbarism and brutality. Ultimately, the Mongols, despite common belief, formed an organized and advanced nation
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Essentially, the Mongols, throughout their raids, would offer opposing powers the option to submit to them and avoid the threat of death. Through this system, the Mongols were able to conquer across Asia while still sparing the lives of those willing to be inducted into the Mongols. Consequently, Mongol culture became vast, influenced by the lands they conquered (Jayne Notes). In fact, the Mongols rarely ever entered the cities they conquered, as they considered blood to be sacred. Subsequently, they attempted to never expose blood outside of the human body (Weatherford …show more content…
During Genghis Khan’s reign, strict legislation was passed to prevent theft, adultery, assault, and murder. These laws, due to their harsh, somewhat disproportionate punishments, were largely successful, to the point in which Mongols had no need for locks to protect their possessions (Document 7). For instance, the punishment for petty theft was ten blows of a rod for each stolen item (Document 9). Additionally, the kidnapping of wives and selling of women, due to Genghis Khan’s own experiences, was outlawed, a revolutionary step towards the advancement of Mongol women (Document 9, BBC Documentary).
Mongol rules were not only enforced through law. Hospitality was a crucial aspect of Mongol life, to the extent in which all Mongols followed a rigid code of conduct. This code, essentially, enforced that all guests be treated with the utmost respect and made comfortable, despite the circumstances of the interaction (Document 8). This code of conduct exhibits the Mongols’ social awareness, and how deeply it affected their everyday
Essentially, the Mongols, throughout their raids, would offer opposing powers the option to submit to them and avoid the threat of death. Through this system, the Mongols were able to conquer across Asia while still sparing the lives of those willing to be inducted into the Mongols. Consequently, Mongol culture became vast, influenced by the lands they conquered (Jayne Notes). In fact, the Mongols rarely ever entered the cities they conquered, as they considered blood to be sacred. Subsequently, they attempted to never expose blood outside of the human body (Weatherford …show more content…
During Genghis Khan’s reign, strict legislation was passed to prevent theft, adultery, assault, and murder. These laws, due to their harsh, somewhat disproportionate punishments, were largely successful, to the point in which Mongols had no need for locks to protect their possessions (Document 7). For instance, the punishment for petty theft was ten blows of a rod for each stolen item (Document 9). Additionally, the kidnapping of wives and selling of women, due to Genghis Khan’s own experiences, was outlawed, a revolutionary step towards the advancement of Mongol women (Document 9, BBC Documentary).
Mongol rules were not only enforced through law. Hospitality was a crucial aspect of Mongol life, to the extent in which all Mongols followed a rigid code of conduct. This code, essentially, enforced that all guests be treated with the utmost respect and made comfortable, despite the circumstances of the interaction (Document 8). This code of conduct exhibits the Mongols’ social awareness, and how deeply it affected their everyday