Michael Prawdin, a Russian/German (1884-1970) wrote this book between the World Wars, and it is still in print and popular. While he has been criticized for carelessness in some facts and the credits are not complete, he writes a very readable and complete history of the largest empire of the world, which stretched from China westwards across the vast deserts and steppes through the Middle East and into Eastern Europe. What a history it is! For two centuries the Mongols were able to dominate China, Iran, Russia and parts of South East Asia. Beginning with the mighty Jenghiz Khan and following his progeny beyond Kublai Khan and Tamerlane until family factions caused its decline and fall.
Jenghiz was born in 1165, a leader of great ambition and insight into the motives and weaknesses of his enemies, he was able to dominate beyond just destruction and fear. Though terrifying people to the point of their being unable to respond, he also set up a code of laws to govern and was a genius of organization and management. He inspired loyalty by promoting talented war chiefs and set up a swift messenger service, much like the pony express. The Mongols were nomads and did not desire riches for vast cities. The soldiers desired nothing more than plundering conquered territories and portable wealth: silver, gold and material that could move around with them. Their greatest motivation was the thrill of destroying any who stood in their way. One can't imagine the terror of seeing a Mongol horde riding swift and tough horses charging down on one's city. "Nothing was left of a conquered town beyond what might be useful to the Mongols. The invaders were regarded as devils incarnate, as the scourge of God. The tribal name of Tatars, first brought into Europe from the East, was corrupted into Tartars, the dwellers in Tartarus who had risen out of the nether-world."
Eventually Jengihiz Khan's vast Empire was split into three large territories ruled by his sons and grandsons. They learned to dwell in cities and build great palaces, depending on and adapting the culture of the Persians and Chinese. The famous Kublai Khan ruled over the East and China. He became enamoured with Chinese culture and Buddhism.
The many violent campaigns became tedious reading but the history was endlessly fascinating. Prawdin covers a huge amount of history: Marco Polo and other westerners who bravely pioneered into the Mongol territory to trade and learn the culture; the monks and friars who ventured unsuccessfully to obtain converts to the Catholic faith, the Crusaders who foolishly thought they could apply traditional battle tactics against the Mongols, and all the great rulers, East and West who played a role in this story.
The book finally closes with the establishment of the Mongolian Peoples' Republic in the 20th century and the recognition of the importance of Mongolia which lies between Russian and China, a buffer of vast expanse with a diverse population. The methods of conquering territory that the Mongols perfected is even echoed today when terrorism strikes fear in the helpless and art and ancient treasures are destroyed and cities laid to waste and ruin.
No comments:
Post a Comment