Military of the Mongol Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Military of the Mongol Empire?

Subject:

Military of the Mongol Empire

Known for:

The military force behind the vast Mongol Empire, renowned for its cavalry and siegecraft.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

During the Mongol invasions and conquests, which began under Genghis Khan in 1206–1207, the Mongol army conquered most of continental Asia, including parts of West Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe, with further (albeit eventually unsuccessful) military expeditions to various other regions including Japan, Indonesia and India. The efforts of Mongol troops and their allies enabled the Mongol Empire to become the contemporarily largest polity in human history. Today, the former Mongol Empire remains the world's largest polity to have ever existed in terms of contiguous land area and the second-largest polity overall, behind only the British Empire. Each Mongol soldier typically maintained three or four horses. Changing horses often allowed them to travel at high speed for days without stopping or wearing out the animals.

Career & Major Achievements

When one horse became tired, the rider would dismount and rotate to another. By letting a tired horse keep up with the rest of the herd without a load, the strategy preserved mobility without overburdening the animal. The Mongols protected their horses in the same way as they did themselves, covering them with lamellar armor. Horse armor was divided into five parts and designed to protect every part of the horse, including the forehead, which had a specially crafted plate that was tied on each side of the neck. Lamellar armor was worn over thick coats.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The armor was composed of small scales of iron, chain mail, or hard leather sewn together with leather thongs and could weigh 10 kilograms (22 lb) if made of leather alone and more if the cuirass was made of metal scales. The leather was first softened by boiling and then coated in a crude lacquer made from pitch, which rendered it waterproof. Sometimes, the soldier's heavy coat was simply reinforced with metal plates. Helmets were cone shaped and composed of iron or steel plates of different sizes and included iron-plated neck guards. The Mongol cap was conical in shape and made of quilted material with a large turned-up brim, reversible in winter, and earmuffs.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1206: 1206 Milestone — During the Mongol invasions and conquests, which began under Genghis Khan in 1206–1207, the Mongol army conquered most of continental Asia, including parts of West Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe, with further (albeit eventually unsuccessful) military expeditions to various other regions including Japan, Indonesia and India.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Military of the Mongol Empire

True or False: “Did the Mongols rely solely on composite bows for all their offensive weaponry?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the composite bow was primary, the Mongols also effectively utilized siege crossbows and advanced gunpowder artillery during major sieges.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Béla IV of Hungary — Historical peer (Born in 1206) (1206): King of Hungary and Croatia, known for rebuilding the state after Mongol devastation.
• Il-yeon — Historical peer (Born in 1206) (1206): A preeminent Korean Buddhist monk and scholar during the Goryeo Dynasty.
• Henry III of England — Historical peer (Born in 1207) (1207): King of England, whose reign saw the limitation of royal power by the barons.
• Kumagai Naozane — Historical peer (Died in 1207) (1207): Famous Japanese warrior known for his role in the Genpei War and later as a Buddhist priest.

Frequently Asked Questions about Military of the Mongol Empire