The Mongol empire and inter-civilizational exchange

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The nomadic Mongols embarked upon an unprecedented mobilization of peoples, goods and ideas to forge the largest contiguous empire the world has known. This chapter focuses on the Mongols' promotion of cultural, religious and economic exchange. It also discusses the legacy that they bequeathed to future empires and the Mongols' imperial enterprise. The basis for supra-tribal unity in Mongolia was the legacy of the prior steppe empires, most notably the Turks, as these polities bequeathed a religio-political ideology and templates for military organization. The immense size of the Mongol Empire encouraged cross-cultural ties both within and beyond its borders, as no polity had hitherto commanded such a large portion of Eurasia's talent pool. The Mongols cultivated economic ties that extended well beyond the empire's borders. The Chinggisids' bequeathed a different institutional legacy to each of the various civilizations that they encountered.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge World History
EditorsBenjamin Z. Kedar, Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks
Place of PublicationCambridge
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages534-558
Number of pages25
Volume5: Expanding Webs of Exchange and Conflict, 500CE–1500CE
ISBN (Print)9780521190749
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Publication series

NameThe Cambridge World History

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Mongol empire and inter-civilizational exchange'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this