The Mongols lived in the steppes. The steppes are dry, treeless grasslands in Central Asia

The Mongols lived in the steppes.The steppes are dry, treeless grasslands in Central Asia.

The open space of the steppes allowed the Mongols to becomeskilled horsemen.

The Mongols developed a nomadic culture.

Perhaps the most famousMongol in world history wasChinggis (Genghis) Khan.

Chinggis Khan was born in 1162 A.D. and died in 1227 A.D.

Chinggis Khan united the Mongol tribes.

This was a difficult task sincethe various Mongol tribes frequently fought each other.

Oh, and the word “Khan” meansruler. Yes, Chinggis Khan wasa great ruler.

Once Chinggis Khan united theMongols, he created a body oflaws for the Mongols knownas the Yassa.

Harsh punishments were givento those who broke the Law.

The great Khan demandedcomplete loyalty.

He imposed strict discipline onhis followers. His soldiers hadto be tough and fearless.

The Khan’s soldiers couldtravel for days on a few grains

of rice and a cup of milk.

Once united and disciplined,the Mongols, under ChinggisKhan, set about conqueringa vast empire.

Chinggis Khan and his successors conquered anempire that stretched fromthe Pacific Ocean to the Black Sea.

The Mongol army swept overAsia and Europe. In Europe,this army was known as the“Golden Horde”.

At the death of Chinggis

Khan,the empire was divided

amonghis sons.

Chinggis Khan changed worldhistory by uniting the Mongolsand leading the conquest ofa vast empire.