Biography of Genghis Khan
By: regina • Essay • 1,058 Words • February 18, 2009 • 1,608 Views
Essay title: Biography of Genghis Khan
Biography of Genghis Khan
The old world had many great leaders. Alexander the Great,
Hannibal and even Julius Caesar met with struggle on their rise to
power. Perhaps Genghis Khan was the most significant of all these
rulers. To prove that Genghis Khan was the greatest ruler, we must go
back to the very beginning of his existence. We must examine such
issues as; Genghis№s struggle for power/how his life as a child would
affect his rule, his personal and military achievements and his
conquests.
Genghis Khan was originally born as Temujin in 1167. He showed
early promise as a leader and a fighter. By 1206, an assembly of
Mongolian chieftains proclaimed him Genghis Khan. Which meant
Universal or invincible prince. This was a bold move for the assembly.
They obviously saw some leadership qualities in Genghis that others
didn№t. When Genghis Khan was little, his chieftain father poisoned.
With no leader left, the tribe abandoned Genghis and his mother. They
were left alone for many years to care for themselves. Throughout
these years, his family met many hardships such as shortage of food
and shortage of money. Though unable to read, Genghis was a very wise
man. His mother told him at a very early age the importance of trust
and independence. "Remember, you have no companions but your shadow"
Grolier Encyclopedia. (1995) CD ROM
This quote was to mean to Genghis, don№t put to much trust in
anyone, trust no one but yourself and if you must go your own way then
do so. In 1206, Genghis Khan proclaimed the ruler of Mongolia. Genghis
was a very respected leader. Like other leaders he knew what his
people wanted. They want everything that is good and nothing that is
bad. Genghis knew he could not promise this so instead he pledged to
share both the sweet and the bitter of life. Genghis did not want to
end up being poisoned like his father so instead he made alliances,
and attacked anyone who posed a serious threat. Through this method
of leadership, Genghis№s army grew to the point where they were
unbeatable.
Genghis contributed a lot
of items to the chinese and even
western civilizations. Perhaps his greatest contribution was a code of
laws that he declared. Since Genghis couldn№t read or write, these law
were documented by one of his followers. His laws were carried on by
people though the many generations to the point of still being in use
today. Either as a modification of Genghis№s laws or as Genghis had
declared them. Genghis Khan promoted the growth of trade between China
and Europe. This allowed him to gain essential supplies such as food,
weapons and other essential survival materials. Genghis also invented
a system similar to the pony express. It was a system in which the
horse and rider could silently communicate, a system that is still in
use today. Perhaps the greatest gift ever given by Genghis Khan was
the gift of language. Genghis was the first ruler to develop a
Mongolian language. Genghis Khan was also a military and strategic
genius. He structured his army in a unique and interesting fashion. He