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Mulberries, caterpillars, and the conquest of Asia

By Chelsie Vandaveer

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December 4, 2001

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Temujin was born near the Onon River sometime in the 1160s. His father, a chieftain, was murdered by poison when Temujin was nine. The family was left destitute. Temujin and his brothers caught fish, their mother gathered berries and wild foods, the family survived. Temujin spent his youth making friends and allies. Then he went for revenge.

Genghis Khan from Receuil Des Estampes, Representant
Les Rangs Et Les Dignites Framed Art Print by Pierre Duflos
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Temujin and his allies attacked the Tatar who had poisoned his father. All the men were killed; the women and children were taken into slavery. The Tatar as a people were wiped from the face of the Earth, so started Temujin's rise to power.

In 1206, Temujin's power was recognized before a great assembly of the tribes of Mongolia. The scattered and diverse tribes united under a single leader. Temujin was enthroned as Genghis Khan. The conquest of Asia began.

Genghis Khan was a successful ruler for he demanded and gave loyalty, he was fair and tolerant of the diversity of people he ruled, but he was absolutely merciless with those who crossed him. Genghis Khan was a successful military leader for he standardized the training and outfitting of his troops and he understood two important military tactics--speed of attack and fear.

Genghis Khan made sure his troops hit quickly and instilled fear wherever they went. The Khan's soldier was first and foremost a horseman riding a strong, agile, and intelligent pony of the steppes. He was armed with a spear, a dagger, a compound bow and arrows; the arrowheads designed to make a whistling noise in flight.

Silkworms on Mulberry Leaves at a Street Market, Shandong Province, Jinan, China
Photographic Print by Bruce Behnke
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The horseman's upper arms and shoulders were protected with armor of hardened leather. The helmet was designed to deflect blows. The boots had metal plates to stop arrows. The horseman's torso was protected with a tunic of tightly woven silk.

The tunics were lightweight, allowed a full range of motion, and did not tear when hit with an arrow. The silk fabric was carried into the wound with the arrowhead. If the wound was superficial, the silk helped staunch the bleeding. With deep and penetrating wounds, the silk aided the removal of the arrow. Silk—the product of a caterpillar that has fed upon mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves.

The Secret History of the Mongols makes no mention of Genghis Khan's funeral or burial place. Archaeologists think they may have found his grave. To read about the archaeological work in Mongolia, click on the link:

http://www.rferl.org/features/2001/08/30082001114629.asp

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