Genghis Khan, born in 1162, emerged from humble beginnings marked by adversity and loss. His father’s murder fueled a burning desire for vengeance and power.
Known for his brutality, Genghis Khan’s punishments were merciless. When a ruler refused his peace offering, Genghis resorted to pouring molten silver into the man’s orifices, a gruesome act of vengeance.
In his conquest of Zhongdu, now modern-day Beijing, he chose a tactic of starvation, leading to unimaginable suffering within the city’s walls. Genghis Khan’s strategic use of marriage alliances further exemplified his ruthless ambition. He married his daughters off to allied rulers, ensuring their ascension to power, and then sent their new husbands into battles where they often met their demise.
The legacy of Genghis Khan includes the massacre of over one million people in revenge for his son-in-law’s murder. He displayed a ruthless streak when dealing with those who defied him, as seen in his declaration of war on Persian cities and his devastating diversion of a river.
His military tactics were equally unforgiving. Surrendered soldiers were often used as shields or forced to fight for their lives, and only the survivors earned a place in his army. Genghis Khan’s reign of terror resulted in an estimated 40 million deaths, a staggering number that surpassed even the atrocities of Joseph Stalin.
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Top image: Genghis Khan. Source: MrWizard / Adobe Stock.
