Genghis Khan was born in 1162 around central Mongolia and named Temujin after an opposing chieftain of the Tatar tribe that his father had captured. It was said that when Temujin was born with a blood clot in his hand, which in Mongolian folklore was a sign that he was destined to become a great leader. When Temujin was about nine years old his father took him to live with another tribe in which his bride to be Borte, resided. Marriages at this age were usually a way to cement an alliance between two tribes or clans. On Temujin’s father’s way back to his tribe he encountered a group of people from the Tatar tribe. They didn’t assault him but instead invited him to a conciliatory meal. Not refusing this offer his father ate with them, but this …show more content…
His climb to become Genghis Khan wasn’t an easy one, he had to conquer most of Mongolia and central Asia before he was proclaimed Genghis Khan. Then name of Genghis Khan meant more than just “Universal Ruler” to his people for that the greatest spiritual leader and shaman proclaimed him to be the representative or avatar of their god, Mongke Koko Tengri. With this proclamation he had achieved divine status along with being the leader of most of central Asia. With this newfound power Genghis Khan could now set new rules in his empire. In order to keep his growing population of over one million people in order he had abolished aristocratic titles to keep tribes from fighting with one another. He had also forbade the kidnapping and selling of women, acts such as these were of course punishable by death. Along with this he also banned the enslavement of any Mongol, making it so that work and jobs were a constant factor. Livestock theft was also banned and of course, still punishable by death. With these rules he also had implemented a writing system along with a conducted regular census. Relations with other countries was important to him so he had given all foreign ambassadors diplomatic immunity. Finally one of the biggest changes he made was that he gave everyone the freedom of religion, which was something new to the world at this time. With all his conquered land in central Asia and a bit towards Europe, he was able to control the Silk road with ease now that he controlled the land and was able to stop the attacks that travelers would have to face. The Silk Road brought trade all throughout Asia and Europe, helping evolve many nations throughout many years. (Jack Weatherford,. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern