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How Barbaric were the Mongols?

By: Iris Huang and Jazz Teste

Examples in the Army

They also had many moral codes involved in their military lives.

"...if one or two or ...even more out of a group of ten run away, all are put to death; and if a whole group of ten flees, the rest of the group of a hundred are all put to death, if they do not flee too." (Document C)

Although they were brutal and not the most scientifically advanced, the Mongols did have a few qualities that showed their "non-Barbarianism":

  • rigid military structure and brilliant tactics
  • strict moral policies within the tribes
  • beneficial economic and industrial influence on conquered territories

Not So Barbaric After All

"We Mongols believe that there is but one God, by Whom we live and by Whom we die and towards Him we have an upright heart. But just as God gave different fingers to the hand so has He given different ways to men." --Mongke Khan (Document M)

The Mongols overall were an intelligent civilization that were smart in military tactics and accepted all religion. This civilization opened up trade and allowed cities to flourish and grow economically. Mongols had their own system of law codes that worked and was respected.

Examples of Moral Laws

A few examples on the morals in daily life of the Mongols

The Mongols also acknowledged religion, with the religion having their own set of moral rules that influence the Mongols.

On Hospitality:

  • "...wife must maintain the household, so that the... guest who dismounts there finds all in order...the wife is able to provide him with good food..."
  • "...show considerable respect to each other...do not easily show impatience

On Adultery:

  • "Whosoever commits adultery will be executed..."
  • "If a woman...has a husband no one will enter into a relationship with her..."
  • (Document N)

In the 13th Century...

• The Mongols had achieved the greatest world conquest the world has ever seen, with approximately 2,860,000 square miles of conquered territory. (Document A)

•However, are they really as barbaric as we think?

•The Mongols also had strict moral policies within the tribe

Did they really have no culture, no education, and no refinement at all?

Therefore...

Having many moral codes to follow, the Mongols were generally not barbaric in daily life

The reason why trade routes and religion and commerce spread was because of the Mongols. Without them, none of this would have happened.

The Mongols were civilized and had a law code that was fair.

• One important reason for their military success is because of their extremely structured organization.

They were said to be organized in tens; one captain for every ten soldiers, one "captain of a hundred" for ever ten groups, etc. (Document C)

•The Mongols also had a surprisingly good influence on its conquered territories; they opened up trade, spread religion, and helped certain industries flourish

•No army that was totally barbaric could fight with such amazing foresight;

•The Mongols are some of the most notable people in history that the general public consider “barbarians”

•They were known for pillage, plunder, and killing in brutal fashion

The Mongols were definitely not as barbaric as history tends to portray.

The Mongols even accepted every religion, allowing them to reside in peace.

"There are twelve pagan (Buddhist) temples belonging to the different nations, two mosques... and one church for the Christians at the far end of town (Karakorum)." (Document G)

•Another reason for the success of the Mongols was because of their usage of clever little tricks to lessen damages during battle, such as wearing silk shirts.

For Example...

  • "The Yuan emperors built canals to improve transportation and communication. In China, agriculture and (craft) production...continued unabated."
  • "(Mongol rulers) were patrons of the arts."
  • "Persian viniculture thrived under the Mongols"
  • "Persian silk industry also benefited from the Mongol conquest because of the contacts that opened up with China."

(Document J)

•In fact, the Mongols were even advanced enough to use weapons such as Greek fire, and understood enough chemistry to use the tactic of flinging fat into the city to ensure burning. (Document D)

If a soldier wearing a silk shirt is hit with an arrow, the silk would be dragged with the arrow head into the wound; then, by pulling out the arrow using the silk, it prevents further injury, thus lessening the damage. (Document B)

Barbarian:

Also...

Until 1:04

•Also, they had absolutely brilliant military tactics. They often preyed on the fears of the enemy and used props to their advantage.

  • "1264 Kubilai grants tax exemption to Buddhist monasteries"
  • "1266 Kubilai orders construction of new capital city near modern-day Beijing"
  • "1271 Kubilai puts new legal system in place; reduces capital crimes by half"
  • "1270's Chinese theater blossoms during Kubilai's reign"

(Document H)

For example, one of their famed military tactics is the usage of dummy figures and extra people to make the army appear larger, which induces greater fear in the enemy. (Document D)

(noun) a person in a savage, primitive state; uncivilized person; a person without culture, refinement, or education; philistine.

The Mongols recognized and allowed religion to thrive by exempting taxes; also, they made a considerable contribution to Chinese culture by building the Forbidden City and allowing growth in the arts.

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