Genghis Khan: Was the Mongol conqueror a brutal barbarian or a democratic pioneer?
History often remembers Genghis Khan as a driver of mass destruction and pillage. This lecture by Dr. Morris Rossabi examines the tension between the image of a barbaric conqueror and modern portrayals of him as an advocate for international law and women's rights.
The traditional view of Genghis Khan focuses on the immense violence of his campaigns, noting that his troops were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, or perhaps even millions, of people across Asia and Europe. His conquests are frequently associated with the destruction of entire towns and cities.
However, a different narrative has emerged through recent writers who suggest the Mongol leader promoted democracy, women's rights, and international law. Dr. Morris Rossabi explores these conflicting perspectives to understand how such myths formed around the man and the Mongolian people, who created the largest contiguous land empire in history.
Source: Great Myths and Legends: Genghis Khan: Barbarian Conqueror or Harbinger of Democracy
