Genghis Kahn

In 1206, the Merkits, Naimans, Mongols, Uyghurs, Keraits and Tatars were all united and combined into one great force. They had all been fierce enemies for hundreds of years and were always at war. To this day I, Genghis Khan am still credited for this unification. But this was only the beginning of my perpetual reign.

My story begins long ago in 1162 when I was born as Temujin which means iron worker in my tribe. I was born to Yesugei, a Mongol chieftain, and his wife. When I was born my fist was clutching a blood colt which declared I was destined to become a heroic warrior. When I was 13 years old and may father was attacked and killed. I was devastated, my mother told me “Remember, you have no companions but your shadow.” To me this meant I shouldn’t trust anyone but myself. This infuriated me and I sought change.

There are three main reasons why I should be awarded the parachute. First, I successfully united all of the nearby tribes who had always been at war. I took ten tribes, all with a different languages, religions, and customs and turned them into an obedient and loyal army of 70,000 and a civilization of 200,000 all representing one tribe, the Mongols.

My people trusted my leadership and listened to my orders without question. I was also very fair, I once said “I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse-herders. We make the same sacrifices and we share our riches. I look upon the nation as a new-born child and I care for my soldiers as though they were my brothers.”

My people saw my superior leadership and virtuous fairness and as a result appointed me as their khan or chief. I no longer went by Temujin. Now I was Genghis Khan or Precious Warrior. Upon my advancement to khan I declared “I will rule by fixed laws [so] that rest and happiness shall prevail in the world.” The laws I created were unlike any my people had seen before, and they greatly impacted the survival and longevity of Mongolia.

My second accomplishment was the Great Yassa or great order. It was the framework I created to make my country function correctly. The Great Yassa has been referred as “A code of honor, dignity and excellence” by many historians today. Before my death I ordered it to be hidden so no other man could steal or copy it. Because of this, historians only know the basics of the Great Yassa. It consisted of 36 laws each thought out by me.

Though my laws may seem harsh to many, it helped shape my country and prevent riots. Many would say that if it weren’t for my laws, Mongolia would have gone up in flames from rebellion and all of Asia would still be at war today. Besides, influencing and inspiring Mongolia’s culture, I also had excellent military strategies and successes.

There are many people who say my battle tactics, Calvary, army, and military mind are some of the best ever. If you were to look at a map and see all of what I conquered, it would be easy for you to agree. I have won battles where the opposing army outnumbered me by 30,000 men and I still conquered them. I once proclaimed when charging into battle “I am the Flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon You.” I was never in the back ranks commanding like a coward; instead I was always at the front line leading the charge. I stressed team work; I would not allow anyone to retreat from battle.

As we marched into battle and my troops saw an opposing army twice our size, I reassured them with these words, “Not even a mighty warrior can break a frail arrow when it is multiplied and supported by its fellows. As long as you brothers support one another and render assistance to one another, your enemies can never gain the victory over you. But if you fall away from each other your enemy can break you like frail arrows, one at a time.”

After my death my contributions were not forgotten. I was nominated for the “Top 10 Cultural Legends of the Millennium”, and was included in the National Geographic’s list of the 50 Most Important Political Leaders of All Time.

Also, my face is on the largest denominations of Mongolian currency including the ?500, ?1000, ?5000 and ?10,000 Mongolian dollar bills. Mongolians have given my name to many products, streets, buildings, and other places. Finally, I am responsible for bringing the Silk Road under one cohesive political environment. To Mongolians and the rest of the world I am known as a leader, law maker, enforcer conqueror, and hero.

My philosophy is illustrated in the following quote: “It is not sufficient that I succeed, all others must fail!”

Today, I do not plan to fail!