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The Mongol Empire was
acquired in three generations. Genghis Khan conquered Khwarizm
in Central Asia. Ogodei, his third son and
successor as Great Khan, conquered Jin in northern China and sent his
nephew Batu on a western campaign, which went
well into Eastern Europe. After Ogodei’s death, Batu secured near autonomy for his rule over the Golden
Horde by helping the descendants of Touli to
become Great Khan. Kubilai conquered China and
established its Yuan Dynasty. His brother Hulagu
conquered Persia and founded Ilkhan. The dates in
the following incomplete lineage of Temujin refer
to the reigns of the Great Khan.
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2. Genealogy of the Mongol Royal House
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The Mongol Empire opened up east-west
communication as never before. Around 1260, Marco Polo left Venice and
travelled by land to China, where he served under Kubilai
Khan. He left China in 1292 and returned via sea route.
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3 A Mongol Passport
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4. Letters from Guyuk
Khan to the Pope. (Vatican Archives)
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Three images of the Mongols:
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5. Mongol siege warfare, illustration of
a history of the Mongols written by Rashi-al-Din,
office in the Ilkhanate who died in 1318.
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6. Kubilai Khan bestowing a golden
tablet to the Polo brothers, from a fourteenth century manuscript of Polo’s
travel.
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7. Kubilai Khan hunting. Chinese
painting by Liu Kuantao.
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