The Psychological Profile of Genghis Khan Robert Bluestein

For almost three centuries, they governed the largest land empire in history, spanning over six million square miles. These were the Mongols, who, with a world-shaking rage and fury, swept like a storm from the Asian steppes. They launched a silent wave of warfare unmatched in speed and brutality. In the 12th century, they were more feared than any other tribal or nomadic group. operationgthroughout the steppes of Asia and swiftly moving in all four directions from their native Mongolia. In 1175, the Tatars and Mongols reignited a long-standing feud. Despite their cultural and belief similarities, they became entangled in such a civil war that they overlooked the Chin dynasty to the south.

The Chin believe that the internal conflict between the two parties will enhance their nation's security. For decades, the Tatars frequently served as mercenaries for the Chin, receiving the necessary supplies to sustain a violent conflict, proving that the strategy of divide and conquer proved effective.

The Rise of a Legend: The Early Life of Genghis Khan

Born in 1162, a child named Temujin entered a world marked by hardship and uncertainty, fatherless from the very beginning. His birth, like that of many great historical figures, is mythical and intriguing. As he grew, Temujin's life would transform into a rugged life of legend and ambition, ultimately leading him to become the formidable ruler we now recognize as Genghis Khan. While many perceive his story as a straightforward tale of relentless conquest and the expansion of vast territories, the truth is far more complex and compelling.

The Making of a Conqueror

Genghis Khan's journey is not merely one of bloodshed and dominion; it is also a narrative of resilience, cunning, and strategic brilliance. From the struggles of his youth to the unification of the Mongol tribes, each chapter of his life reveals the profound challenges he faced and the extraordinary measures he took to overcome them.

Beyond the Myths

As we delve deeper into the life of Genghis Khan, we uncover a figure who was not only a warrior but also a visionary. His legacy extends beyond the battlefield, influencing trade, culture, and governance across continents. To understand Genghis Khan is to explore the intricate layers of his character and the indelible mark he left on history.

Genghis Khan possessed remarkable charisma, unmatched throughout human history. His intense presence compelled people to follow him through sheer force of will. He broke away from nearly every established custom of his time. Yet, the true nature of Genghis Khan is even more fascinating. How did the illiterate son of a minor clan leader ascend to command the world's largest armies? And why did he feel his destiny was incomplete even on his deathbed?

This article explores the psychological traits that propel men to such remarkable heights and achievements. An in-depth examination of his psychological profile is drawn from a recently discovered book about his life. History enthusiasts will enjoy this short story. Psychology aficionados will find it captivating. Those interested in military tactics and strategies will appreciate this narrative. Ultimately, you will form your own opinions based on the facts presented. While I offer my conclusions, others may interpret them differently. However, one thing is certain—you will learn something new about Genghis Khan.

The Dark Tide of the Mongol Invasion

In the 12th century, the Church viewed the Mongol invasion as the manifestation of Satan, a harbinger of doom that tingled the spines of even the most stalwart believers. Their fears were promptly validated upon encountering warriors of unmatched ferocity, whose very presence seemed to darken the skies. These fighters, fierce and relentless, were daring in battle, quick in movement, and wielded small bows with a deadly precision that even the most experienced European knights woefully underestimated.

A Dance of Death

In nearly every conflict, the Mongols found themselves outnumbered, yet they fought with a ferocity that turned the tide of battle in their favor. Their strategies were as fluid as the wind, and their tactics, a terrifying ballet of death and destruction. With each clash, they carved a path through the ranks of the unsuspecting, leaving behind a trail of blood and fury that echoed the cries of the fallen.

The Gates of Vienna

Ultimately, they reached the gates of Vienna, a city that stood as a bastion of hope against the encroaching darkness. Yet, as the Mongols approached, the air thickened with despair, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of their advance. Vienna, once a symbol of resilience, now stood on the precipice of annihilation, caught in the relentless grip of an unstoppable force.

History has interesting parallels. The story of Braveheart William Wallace begins with his birth in or around 1250. The entire saga that made for one of Hollywood’s true epic movies takes place between a relatively short time frame from 1215-to-1329. In that final year, Robert the Bruce passes away, leaving Scotland fiercely independent from England and helping to create the Scots identity.

On the other side of the globe, a similarly fascinating saga unfolds, leading to the creation of one of the greatest empires in history. In 1182, Genghis Khan unites the clans, and by 1294, the Mongol Empire spans fourteen million square miles under Kublai Khan. Both European and Asian civilizations were experiencing rapid expansion due to various factors.

Historical climatologists have discovered evidence indicating a significant warming period on parts of the planet from 950-1300 AD. Permafrost melted swiftly, resulting in freshwater streams and warmer temperatures. This era saw migrations and population growth, fostering extensive intellectual trade and technological exchange across large regions. However, while this was true for Europe and Western Asia, the Mongolian terrain remained cold and unchanged.

Motivations Behind Exploration

There were additional reasons for exploration. Although increasing temperatures facilitated travel, it was the internal political dynamics and foreign strategies of expanding European nations that fueled the drive for expansion. The Church was revising its history, and distant city-states were appointing many of their own bishops. While new trade routes were established through what is now Turkey into the Asian steppes, Muslim forces were disrupting commerce.

Political Dynamics

The internal politics of European nations played a crucial role in shaping their ambitions. As kingdoms vied for power and influence, exploration became a means to assert dominance and secure resources.

The Church's reassessment of its history and the appointment of bishops by city-states indicated a shifting religious landscape, closely linked to the pursuit of new territories. This transformation was influenced by several key factors: The Church has a long history of influence over political and social structures. However, as the world entered periods of exploration and expansion, particularly during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the dynamics began to change. The rise of nation-states and the increasing power of local rulers prompted the Church to reevaluate its role and authority.

Traditionally, bishops were appointed by the papacy, which maintained a centralized control over ecclesiastical appointments. However, as city-states emerged as powerful entities, they began to assert their influence over local church governance. This shift allowed city-states to appoint bishops who aligned with their political interests, thereby intertwining religious leadership with local governance. The changing nature of bishop appointments reflected broader shifts in the religious landscape. The Protestant Reformation was gaining momentum, challenging the Catholic Church's authority and leading to the establishment of various denominations. In response, the Church sought to strengthen its position by adapting to local powers and addressing the spiritual needs of new territories.

Pursuit of New Territories

The Church's reassessment was also closely linked to the age of exploration, where European powers sought to expand their empires. As new lands were discovered and colonized, the Church aimed to establish its presence and convert indigenous populations. This necessitated a more flexible approach to governance and the appointment of bishops who could effectively navigate the complexities of these new environments, The Church's reassessment of its history and the appointment of bishops by city-states signified a pivotal moment in the evolution of religious authority. This shift not only reflected the changing political landscape but also highlighted the Church's efforts to adapt to new challenges and opportunities presented by the pursuit of new territories.

Trade Routes and Commerce

Emerging trade routes through Turkey opened doors to the wealth of the East, but the disruption caused by Muslim forces highlighted the need for secure pathways for commerce.

New means of transportation had to be developed, new roads had to be built. It was along one of these roads that Marco Polo travelled to sit at the court of Kublai Khan, and thus for the first time, the connection between Medieval Europe and Medieval Asia was complete. Beijing is one of the worlds great cities and was made capital of China by Kublai Khan. His main interest was in China where he founded the Yuan Dynasty. He was the first foreign emperor of China and is significant to understanding the history of the worlds most populated country.

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The Secret Histories of the Mongols

We knew very little about Genghis Khan until the discovery of "The Secret Histories" in the late 1800s. Under the Mongol Stalinist rule, the works were kept from public view until the mid-1990s. It still has not been completely interpreted, but our knowledge of Genghis Khan is no longer written from the perspective of the Europeans.

It was written for the Mongol royal family some time after Genghis Khan's death in AD 1227, by an anonymous author (presumed to be one of his sons) and probably originally in the Uyghur script, though the surviving texts all derive from transcriptions or translations into Chinese characters dating from the end of the 14th century, compiled by the Ming dynasty under the name The Secret History of the Yuan Dynasty.

''In the seventh moon of the year of the rat, they all gathered together. The nobles of the right wing and the princes of the left wing and the leaders of the thousands.'' The Secret History of the Mongols

The Secret History of The Mongols. Courtesy, Beijing Museum of History. Used with permission, 2017

The original has never been found, but over 500 years after it was written, a copy was found in 1856 in Chinese Archives. It is beyond a military history and is deeply personal in nature. Although part propaganda and myth, some things stand out.

''As he comes out into the lands, he is not fond of dogs, believing that they would harm him and effect his heavenly ordained destiny in some manner.'' The Secret History of the Mongols

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Temujin is the son of Hoelun and Yesugei. Hoelun would leave an incredible mark of strength and lessons of survival on the young Temujin. His name comes from several Ugar words which essentially mean ''Iron Fist.'' Other translations say it is the word ''Blacksmith.'' Either way, legend says he was born clutching a blood-clot. The shaman interpreted it as meaning he will rule by blood and conquest.

Genghis Khan is considered the most significant conqueror in history. He believed that his nomadic origins should be as impressive as his achievements and that a divine force had chosen him to rule. In contrast to Alexander, he did not have a mentor like Aristotle. When Alexander the Great passed away, his empire perished with him.

COMPARISON TO OTHER GREAT CONQUERORS

Alexander was born into the opulence of royalty, expected to rule a kingdom. In stark contrast, Genghis Khan emerged from a world devoid of written language, navigating the complexities of leadership without the benefit of codified laws that guided figures like Julius Caesar. Napoleon, on the other hand, inherited a structured military framework, operating in a realm where nearly 80% of the population was literate. His campaigns were marked by the audacity of conquering vast empires with armies that often outnumbered the very populations of the largest Mongol cities. Remarkably, Genghis Khan, in his formative years, had likely never laid eyes on a grand building or bustling city. He was truly a unique phenomenon in history. Even after Genghis Khan's passing, his empire endured for another century, a testament to his unparalleled impact on the world.

Early events begin to shape Temujin. In understanding history, it is important to understand the person himself. Long before Temujin was a great leader, he was thrust into a warrior school. His father was the clan leader and highly revered amongst his people. One late afternoon, Temujin is at play with his blood-brother Jemukha. Earlier in the week, a band of Tatars came through with spices and food. The meeting looked innocent enough and soon they left. But the destruction they would leave and the pain that would follow was anything but innocent.

One surviving story tells of friendship, then betrayal, and then murder. The Tatars had long been bitter enemies of the Mongols. But legend has told us that they presented a gift to the Khan of a specially prepared yak meat as an offering. Yesugei took it in exchange for several furs. Soon after eating, he became ill. It was apparent that he had been poisoned.

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Mongolian Stamps Tell A Great Story of How They See Themselves

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Temujin makes it back in time to see his father, ashen and barely breathing. He loved his father, and his death was a deep wound for the young man. Because he was the eldest son of the leader, it was he who was now commanding the tribe. No one in the clan wanted to be ruled by a nine-year-old, and so they simply left. All that remained were Temujin's family. In all, there were two brothers and three half-brothers, a sister, and two widows, one of them being Temujin's mother. The clan left and took all of their provisions, animal hides, and resources, leaving Temujin's family to die in the forbidding Gobi steppes.

His mother had been taken hostage and forcibly married to Temujin's father. She did not come into this marriage willingly and in fact never stopped professing her affection for her actual husband, Yehe Chile-Du.

He was the clan leader of the Merkit people, a confederation of three tribes with a common language and emerging shamanistic belief system that helped to unite them.

After the attack, Temujin's clan was left devastated and impoverished. Without a leader, his family had to survive on their own. His mother, grandmother, and several young brothers were abandoned to die.

Determined to endure the harsh winter ahead, Temujin's mother's resilience became evident. Defying the clan members who were leaving them behind, she ran out with a staff, vowing revenge for their abandonment. To the young future ruler, this highlighted the cost of disloyalty, profoundly shaping his worldview.

It is evident that Temujin faced hardships greater than most. His upbringing was marked by daily survival and the constant loss of cherished things due to others. The four tribes, including the Mongols and Tartars, along with other nomadic groups, led a grim existence. Even today, some of the coldest temperatures on Earth are found in the Mongol steppes. With winter temperatures dropping as low as -50, it was also a battle against the elements.

What is the destiny of someone whose life starts like this? What occurs when you are only nine years old, and there is no one left to hunt for food or provide shelter? What happens internally when you are left to survive on desolate land? Believing his father was in the heavens, Temujin always felt his presence, watching over him, protecting him, and guiding him. He learned significantly from his mother, who encouraged him to seek revenge on the Tatars for his father's death. Mongol women held important roles in society, and she was a powerful influence.

The Mysterious Decade of Genghis Khan

For a decade, approximately from ages 18 to 28, Genghis Khan vanishes from historical records. This period is shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some suggest he might have been at the Chinese Court, trying to establish diplomatic ties with the Chin Dynasty. It is believed he collaborated with the Sung Dynasty in southern China in a conflict against the Chin. In 1215, they started their campaign around the forbidden city of Xhochu, now known as Beijing.

Speculations and Theories

• **Diplomatic Endeavors**: Theories propose that Genghis Khan was engaged in diplomatic missions, seeking alliances that would bolster his future conquests.

• **Military Alliances**: His collaboration with the Sung Dynasty against the Chin suggests a strategic mind, looking to weaken a common foe.

• **Cultural Exchanges**: This period may have also been a time of cultural and technological exchanges that influenced his later campaigns.

  
  

The Campaign of 1215

The year 1215 marked a significant turning point as Genghis Khan launched his campaign around Xhochu, demonstrating his military prowess and ambition to expand his empire. This bold move set the stage for the Mongol invasions that would reshape the world.

A REBELLION FROM WITHIN

But just as he would seem to subdue the Chin, trouble arrived in the north. Disloyalty from his own people fermens a revolt that pulls Genghis Khan far from his initial goal of conquering the Chin. Instead, he chases the rebels through the Islamic territories, conquering one territory after another. He discovered that he was following a very wealthy trail that would become known as the Silk Road. Once Genghis Khan realized how much wealth was possible, he sent envoys to Sultan Muhammad in Samarkand. The Sultan humiliated the envoys by cutting off their beards and sending them away. Genghis Khan sent a disturbing note in response - "You have chosen war."

The main threat in the area was the Tayichi'ud people. This particular tribe was among the larger ones in the area. Although they shared a common lineage, they were bitter and fierce enemies of the Mongols. Raids between the two were deadly and frequent. In one of these raids, Temujin himself was abducted and held as a slave. At the age of eleven, he was tied to a huge yoke. Humiliated and pushed into forced labor by a neighboring tribe, Temujin finally escaped with the help of a sympathetic guard. He would never forget the assistance he received from the guard and would ultimately make him a General in the great Khan's army.

There was a surprising antagonist among the few remaining members of the clan. Temujin's half-brother, Begter, was Temujin's older son through a concubine. Hoelun was not of blood relation to the boy but raised him as her own nonetheless. But, as the oldest son, Begter could legally claim Hoelun as his wife and strip leadership away from Temujin. Although he was just fourteen, the younger Temujin and another brother, Khasar, ambushed Begter and killed him.

When he was sixteen, he met Borte, a beautiful eighteen-year-old. He cared for her deeply, and following traditional Mongol customs, a marriage ceremony was organized. Unlike the forced or abducted relationship his mother experienced, this was genuine love, in the Mongolian way. At last, at sixteen, Temujin found happiness.

They possessed eight geldings with one remaining. Two women and the grandmother were left behind. The grandmother did not have her own horse. The mother instructed the boys to leave and told the bride to remain with them. There was some discussion about why she wouldn't allow Borte to depart with Temujin, especially since there was an extra gelding. Some sources suggest she was meddling in her son's marriage to an "outsider" and disapproved of the union. Consider the bonds between mothers and sons and whether she believed Borte was 'suitable' for Temujin.

Other accounts suggest it was simply because she understood the dynamics of the clans and their desires. She knew what the tribal men sought and thought the young girl's beauty might buy the boys time while they were on the run. What she did not realize was that these men were avenging her own kidnapping from her former husband many years prior.

Temujin's fate was sealed at that moment. Alone once more and fleeing, he left the mountain determined to rescue Borte. To fulfill this mission, he needed to swear allegiance to a new Khan, form alliances, and build an army. For Temujin, life’s purpose was centered on reuniting with her. With the help of his loyal friend and later rival, Jamukha, along with his protector, Torgul Khan of the Keraite tribe, he formed a coalition.

Using advance scouts and spies, he found her with the Merkit people. He rode in under the moonlight screaming her name. She and the other women in the carts did not want to be kidnapped again, so they fled. The Secret Histories record that she ran toward him in the middle of battle, nearly getting trampled in the process. Like a good Hollywood script, the two of them rode off together with the men he led.

Shortly afterward, she announced she was pregnant. There were rumors the baby was not his. But it mattered not to him; the son would be raised as his. He named the son the equivalent of the word "Guest," and his ultimate role in Genghis's later years could have greatly affected the empire had he not died a year before Genghis.

This certainly does not suggest that he practiced monogamy. Genghis Khan is said to have had an unquenchable thirst for women. The ''Secret History of the Mongols'' recounts that women would 'throw themselves off cliffs to escape becoming a concubine of Genghis Khan.' However, since this historical narrative was likely penned by his eldest son, it's important to recognize the potential bias, as the author may have had his own agenda for propaganda purposes.

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History and it's Accidental Discoveries

In 2012, a genetic study of the Asiatic population revealed an astonishing discovery. This study was conducted by two universities: The School of Anthropology at Cambridge and the University of Mongolia. The study aimed to determine when the first people arrived in Asia approximately 140,000 years ago. However, researchers soon made a fascinating observation. DNA sequencing among the 20,000 people tested showed that 1 in 200 shared a common ancestor, specifically from the era of Genghis Khan. These findings were unexpected but remarkable. Genghis Khan's descendants were so numerous that a significant portion of Asia's population—from Mongolia to Laos, from Korea to the Caspian Sea—is related to him!

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From a psychological standpoint, loyalty is viewed as a virtue. Is loyalty truly beneficial, prudent, and commendable? Subconsciously, the majority of individuals likely associate loyalty with integrity, which involves aligning your beliefs/principles (if you have any) with your behavior.

Here’s where it gets complicated for many: Most of us choose friends and romantic partners based on vague or unidentified feelings alone. Genghis couldn't have deeply known many of the conquered farmers and peasants to whom he bestowed generalships and land.

When faced with the decision to be loyal or disloyal to friends or associates, we often struggle to define the object of our loyalty. There are those who may act disloyally towards the government without sensing a direct betrayal of their leader. (Consider the case of Edward Snowden)

Others will be disloyal to a leader without feeling as if they are being disloyal to the government. (Consider Benedict Arnold's betrayal of George Washington) And still others will be disloyal to an idea propagated by either the government or by the individual without feeling as if they have betrayed either. (Consider Napoleon)

Genghis Khan viewed disloyalty as the gravest sin. This was clearly demonstrated when Jebucar's subjects handed him over to Genghis. Thinking that by betraying Jebucar they would secure their own safety, they eagerly knelt before the mighty ruler. The ruler ordered them beheaded at once. ''What kind of subject turns his master over to the enemy?'' he asked. ''What kind of men are so disloyal to their leader?'' Even if it meant killing future allies, Genghis had been so betrayed throughout his entire life, that he could not accept disloyalty in any shape or any fashion. It allows us to sneak inside his brain and see one of the most driving factors of his brilliance.

When others betrayed him, he rejected or back away from them with lightening speed. For no apparent reasons, he would blow a gasket. Time-and-time again when he betrayed and then he was lost without a set of conscious convictions to guide him. Likewise, without conviction, it became easy to treat those who has been disloyal to him with the utmost of vengeance.

Loyalty is an extension of this principle. It applies to upholding of his ideals, but — more specifically and concretely — loyalty concerns the people in your life who are important to you.

The lessons of loyalty were deeply rooted in his leadership style. His generals were not born of aristocrats or leaders. The poor never turned against him. Family members, however, often betrayed him. Alliances were meant to be broken. But he believed loyalty doesn't come by birth but through relationships. Loyalty would be a very large part of his leadership style and would begin to mark the Mongol traditions.

For almost three centuries, they led the way in a form of warfare that is still examined by military experts today. In 1175, the Tartars reignited an ancient conflict with the Mongols. The Chin cleverly understood that if the conflict among the tribes continued, they would not be targeted. During this time, the Mongols developed and improved upon military weapons. The Europeans' best weapon was the longbow followed by the emergence of the crossbow. (More about that below.) But Genghis developed a composite longbow with birch wood that angled back at the ends by 30 degrees. The result was a weapon that was three times more powerful and accurate than the Europeans' best weapons.

In 1196, Genghis figured out how to turn the horse and man into one fighting machine. The simple addition of the stirrup allowed the Mongols to operate in small tactical teams and fire arrows while riding horseback. It also strategically changed the manner in which battles were fought. Genghis Khan could feign a retreat and his archers could ride backward, confusing enemies.

The knights of Medieval Europe and the Samurai of Japan were skilled with the sword. But the Mongols had managed to take a large weapon in the long-bow, modify it, and then use it exclusively on horseback. There was simply no answer for this technique.

Another advancement occurred in how Mongol soldiers safeguarded themselves. In 564 AD, Pope Gregory dispatched missionaries to clandestinely bring silkworms to Europe. While Europeans considered fine silks as a form of decoration, Mongols viewed them as essential for their survival. The Mongol warriors' light leather protection was easily penetrated by the bows and arrows used during that time. However, when they put silk under the leather, the arrows were caught by it, and the result was a much lesser wound - if any at all. It was the first, and perhaps the most beautiful, bullet-proof vest.

These horse warriors were a long line of hardened men who came from this geography. Attila the Hun (434 AD) was from the Mongol steppes. They are 3,000 miles wide and 500 miles from north to south. Since nothing actually grows in this region, the tribes are forced into a nomadic existence, exhausting one set of pastures after another.

Above: European Longbow

Right: Mongol Reflex Longbow

Another innovation that helped to repel the Mongols was the invention of the Crossbow. It is easy to use and inexpensive to produce. Now, the Europeans needn't have a trained army of knights to fight successfully. Although reviled by the Chivalric code of the Knights, it was both the cross-bow and archers which began to change the way Europeans fended off invasions. With the plague taking one-in-three people in Europe, these innovations not only were instrumental in defending the home-front, but necessary.

Genghis Khan disliked besieging towns. He frequently pondered venturing into the far west, aware of the abundance of forts and castles in the Medieval World, which posed no challenge for foot soldiers. In an effort to speed up the downfall of these towns and villages, he created a trebuchet. These are huge catapults which hurl stones as heavy as 60-100 lbs as far as 80 feet. The effect was devastating and city walls and forts soon began to crumble - allowing for a quick and violent invasion. The distance it was able to fire onto the fortresses made it impossible to strike them back with any reliable force, thus tipping the balance of power decisively. It was as if the Mongols had invented an Atom Bomb.

Mongol Trebuchet

Genghis Khan was perhaps one of the most brutal and violent men who ever lived. The Mongols at their height, were over fourteen-million square miles of land through barbarism and blood. They were a nomadic people, living off of the land. His campaigns were legendary. And - any resistance to Genghis Khan would result in decapitation.

But there was also arbitrary terrorism. In Khazikstan, one uprising resulted in Khan ordering the ears of every man and woman cut off. The gruesomely disfigured survivors were then paraded ahead of the Mongol arrival in an effort to induce surrender. It often worked.

In other cities, it wasn't an uncommon practice to break the backs of unrepentant warriors and bury them alive. The manner in which the Mongols brought death upon his enemies was beyond the imagination of almost everyone. This was exactly how the Persians underestimated the Mongols, and they would pay dearly.

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Everyday Life Inside a Yurt

The yurt was the communal home of the Mongol people. You can still see them today. They are designed to be put up and taken down with the greatest of ease, and several families may live in one of them. Similar to a teepee, the yurt is simply much larger in circumference. There was a hole in the top, and inside the yurt, it would be terribly smoky and difficult to breathe. The entranceway would always face to the south because the Mongols felt that only good news came from the south. Without wood to burn, the Mongols used animal dung, making for an acrid and even putrid smell inside the yurt.

Inside the Yurt however, it was warm. The Mongols survived temperatures that were unimaginable to everyone else.

Communication was a strong-point for Genghis Khan even though there was no written language at the time. He developed a 'Pony-Express of his day. It was called ''The Yan'' and it allowed the Mongols to stay in touch with the locations of family members and increased the lurid trade of the Silk Road.

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The Invasion of China

In 1215, the same year that King John issued the Magna Carta in England, Khan's armies sweep to the west. The drums of impending invasion were so loud that towns and villages simply surrendered to Mongol emissaries. One reason why the Mongols moved so quickly is because they HAD to. Siege warfare does not favor the army with a lot of horses. This is due to the fact that horses consume food and resources. Prolonging a siege was good strategy for the Europeans when the mongols attacked.

The Chin Dynasty of Northern China considered the Mongols as just another of the tribes. Within hours of the first volley of arrows brought a slaughter of the city of Xi Xha. In 1215, the same year that King John issued the Magna Carta in England, Genghis Khan laid waste to the capital Chong-Du - modern day Beijing. One by one, the greatest cities in the Asian world capitulated to the Mongols.

There seemed to be a strange joy in the bloodshed.

One curious observation about the mind of Genghis is that he conquered to win, not to occupy. Occupation of a place caused complacency. It also cost the Mongols badly needed resources in order to feed peoples who have not yet learned to farm. His troops were always on the move and his character was shaped by conquest - of both battles and of women.

Consider the other factors facing Genghis as he grew into maturity. There was a smallpox epidemic that wiped out a third of his army. Close friends were not spared. The Persians understood biological warfare and sent emissaries with Typhus and Influenza to ''make peace.'' The reality of life for the Mongols was brutal and even in battle, it was a bloody hand-to-hand conflict.

The Persians Underestimate Genghis Khan

Genghis soon realized that his greatest opportunities lay along the Silk Route, where he could significantly enhance the prosperity and quality of life of his people through trade. He decided to send a caravan of 1,200 camels into Persia, with the first caravan directed to his neighbor, Sultan Mohammad, the ruler of the Khwarezmian Empire. The caravan was so opulently rich that it tempted Sultan Mohammad's greed, leading him to seize it and kill the Mongol traders.

Undeterred, Genghis sent three of his close emissaries (two Mongols and a Muslim) to negotiate a trade agreement. He offered Sultan Mohammad a way to resolve the situation, stating that an apology and the punishment of those responsible would suffice. However, Sultan Mohammad, blinded by his arrogance, refused. Instead, he had the Muslim emissary beheaded and sent his head back with the others. To further insult them, the two Mongols had their beards cut off.

This was the ultimate insult, and Genghis was now ready to unleash his fury on Sultan Mohammad. A third emissary was sent with a message: "You have chosen - War."

The violation of diplomatic customs ignited a fire in Genghis. In 1219, his soldiers prepared for war. Although uncertain of the outcome, he was resolute in his approach. In nearly every battle, the Mongols were outnumbered, challenging the strategic brilliance of the Mongol Warrior King. The ruler of the Khwarezmian Empire, Sultan Mohammad, was about to face Genghis's might.

A special fate is designed for the greedy governor. He is held down while molten silver is poured into his ears and eyes. At Samarkand, Khan divided an inferior army into the two. It was the first time in recorded history that a smaller army divided itself while on the offensive. It was a superb ploy.

At Otrah in 1219, a five month seize ended when the Mongols stormed through the walls. No one would live. As was written in the ''Secrets History of the Mongols'' it is said that ''when it is finished, there was not to be a single eye with which to weep.'' They laid waste to everyone and everything in their path. There was a special cruelty reserved for those who remained.

In February 1220, he planned a three-pronged attack that was unrivaled in cunning and malice. Planned retreat was a skill that Genghis used in order to disorient the enemy. Sultan Mohammad streamed out his forces to chase the ''retreating'' Mongols. But to the north, Genghis Khan will attack through the back door. Like demons from his worst nightmare, in one of the greatest rear-attacks in the history of warfare, Samarkand fell in just ten days. Genghis reduced the cities so that there was no recovery. At Harat, he attacked and destroyed the plumbing, the roads, and the infrastructure. It was as if there was no tomorrow.

With the fall of the Khorazon, guides lead him through three-hundred miles of desert sands. In one of the greatest rear-attacks in history, both Karakoram and Samarkand fell. The monstrous rampage destroyed entire cities - to the point that they still stand today, ghost towns and useless reminders of the potential we could have become.

Other cities like Baghdad fell with brutal efficiency. He used human shields and diverted rivers. He attacked the weakest links and used speed to surprise. But when his men hit the outer walls of Baghdad, there was a moat in the way. Genghis Khan used the bodies of captured subjects to make a bridge for his troops. Gruesome - yes. Efficient - Definitely.

Another factor that differentiated Genghis from all others is that he had no use for aristocracy of towns when they were defeated. What use would aristocrats be if they could not protect the very people he conquered?

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF POWER POSSESSION

But soon, Genghis Khan's hunger for power becomes increasingly violent and leads him to experience overwhelming paranoia and a growing mistrust of old friends and allies.

Meanwhile, the Sung Dynasty of Southern China was fifty million strong and not able to be conquered under Genghis Khan. With ready resources and a systematic army, the Sung were perhaps the largest and most stable empire at the time. It would take someone extraordinary to subdue the Sung.

After Genghis Khan died in 1236, Ogidai Khan granted Kublai Khan his own lands. At first he ruled from a distance as other rulers did. But he soon became aware of the taxation repression that was happening to the farmers. By leaving day-to-day affairs to local officials, there was widespread corruption.

The empire of Genghis would soon be in shambles as the members as the empire grew far too large to govern. He was a great leader and a law-giver. But his principles of loyalty, communication and speed were deeply rooted in the consciousness of those around him. There was no pretensions around him. He was born in a felt-tent, a yurt. He also died in one.

He accumulated far more wealth then anyone else in World History. Yet he did not keep it. He gave it away to the war-widows and the wounded. He believed that it was essential to take care of the war widows and war orphans. (Especially since so many of those orphans were his own children!) In addition, when he conquered a town, he adopted one child from every place and raised them as his own.

The Awakening of a Conqueror

At some point, Genghis Khan felt an undeniable calling, a profound sense of destiny that whispered to him of a mission bestowed by the divine. He envisioned a world united under his rule, a vast empire that transcended the boundaries of his humble beginnings. Yet, in those formative years, he found himself entangled in the web of allegiances to other feudal warlords, a landscape fraught with betrayal and conflict.

The Cycle of Conflict

Time and again, he clashed with the same tribes, each battle a testament to the relentless struggle for power and survival. As the bloodshed continued, a stark realization dawned upon him: the cycle of warfare would never cease unless he embraced a more radical approach. In a moment of clarity, he understood that to forge his destiny, he must eliminate the roots of opposition. This pragmatic worldview, though ruthless, was driven by an unwavering belief in his purpose.

A Pragmatic Path to Power

Thus, Genghis Khan embarked on a path that would lead him to reshape the world. His vision was not merely one of conquest but of unification, a legacy that would echo through the ages. In his mind, the eradication of his enemies became not just a strategy, but a necessary step toward fulfilling the grand design laid out for him by fate itself.

At the end of his life, he began to waiver on some of his principles. Although he loved all four of his sons, they were raised differently than he was. They grew up sheltered, never experiencing hunger. They drank alcohol and lacked cooperation among themselves. Growing frustrated, he called in his own aristocrats that he conquered in order to teach them the laws of kinship. It didn't work. These too, were middle-aged men who hadn't know hunger and desire themselves.

His first-born son, Berke, was called in to inherit the kingdom. His other sons stood up and asked Genghis, ''How can you let the bastard son of the Merkit people take over?'' The question and behavior was a shock to those in the royal court. He attempted to answer the charge when another son interrupted and said, ''A deer shot with words cannot be loaded onto the cart.'' The meaning of this was simple. Genghis Khan could claim Berke as his son but it was a claim without basis, and there was no way they were going to honor their father's wishes once he passed. It must have made Genghis feel resigned to whatever fate dealt to him.

He gave his favorite son the land furthest away in order to keep him safe. The best lands went to the third son, who was the most friendly. He was also an alcoholic. Simply put, it was a short-sighted way to run an empire that he had put so much energy into.

The Tanguts and the Russians - Brutal Genocide

Genghis Khan could be impatient and petulant at times. He let his thirst for revenge overtake his strategic idea of conquest. Psychologically speaking, the lack of resolution to his father's murder and he suffering he endured on as a youth seemed to be what fueled this incessant desire for vengeance. There were many missed connections when he was a youth and it is one of the factors that leads to repetitive and poor behavior.

After unifying the northern grasslands of Mongolia, Genghis set forth to take on The Tanguts, in Tibet. In 1226, he burned the capital city to the ground and massacred tens of thousands of its people. It was a decisive genocide that seemed at odds with the strategic manner in which Genghis normally prosecuted a war.

At the same time, he sent two generals to the Caspian Sea and into Russia. These two generals, Batu-Khan and Subatai, brought 35,000 additional archers in addition to the huge 100,000 calvary. Europe had never seen an invading army so large and many towns simply submitted before they arrived. They arrived at the gates of Vienna before news from home shook the Mongol World.

Genghis Khan was now in his sixties and while warring in Tibet, he fell off of his horse and suffered fatal injuries. The troops returned to Mongolia, although they needn't have. They believed that they needed to arrive in Mongolia to elect a new Khan. But Genghis Khan had made provisions - such as they were - as to what to do when he died. The invasions of the Mongols lost a lot of steam when the armies returned to the field, only to find out that they would indeed have to return when Ogedai Khan died in 1256. That would be a huge swath of land to cover over thirty years.

NARCISSISM OR NECESSITY?

Forensic narcissim is defined as having an anti-social behavior with an ego-centric sense of cruelty and paranoia. He had a grandiose sense of self with a relentless need for dominion. He calculated violence in order to secure a long-lasting legacy. He showed a ruthless lack of empathy and showed no remorse for his killing of millions. Are these traits built into all leaders, whether good or bad?

To answer this question, we must examine how life events shaped Genghis Khan. ow did his life events shape him? Genghis Khan spent almost his entire adult life fighting. It is doubtful that he ever knew peace nor knew what he would do with it when he found it. His mother filled the space of an absent father and did so admirably. The fact that his father passed when he was just nine is what I think drove him to seek his own greatness. He was forever trying to fill the void of grandeur and respect that he held for his father, which never got to be returned to him in-kind.

His need for conquest was certainly an effort to ''prove'' himself over and over again and it affected his spiritual nature. He liked listening to how others viewed the world around him despite the fact he had only one documented meeting with a Christian. (A monk only known to us as Geoffrey.)

Consider all of the contrasting views of Genghis Khan and draw your own conclusions. One the one hand, he encouraged religious tolerance; on the other, he murdered millions. On the one hand, he created a culture of diversity and meritocracy, but on the other hand, he treated women poorly. On the one hand, he believed in a culture that was the run by laws, yet on the other hand, ran an oligarchy. On the one hand, he strongly sponsored the trade routes, and yet on the other hand, that trade included slave labor and child trafficking. He continued to build roads and produced the first true postal system, and yet he also burned down entire villages and towns, pouring salt into then soil to ensure it won't grow crops and dispersed hundreds of thousands into the hot and arid desert where their bodies are still being found today.

As you can observe, there are many intricacies at play.

A lingering question is whether the millions who lost their lives during Genghis Khan's ruthless campaigns were justified. With remarkable prowess in psychological warfare and an extraordinary knack for timing, Khan established a model for numerous military leaders to emulate.

He was a self-made individual—self-created, self-sustained, and ultimately, self-immortalized. Embracing a destiny he believed was uniquely his, Genghis Khan exists as much in legend as he does in myth. Nevertheless, a few points stand out: (1) He swiftly recognized a 'destiny' for himself, and (2) He persuaded others to share in that belief. Few individuals in history have accomplished more through their deliberate actions than through unintended consequences. Whether this positions him as one of the world's great leaders or simply another tyrannical despot is for you to decide. Ω