The Mongol Empire: Human Expansion Pack
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Xelor Vark
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In the annals of terrestrial history, few episodes are more revealing of Homo sapiens' pursuit of world domination than the saga of the Mongol Empire. Human subjects on Terra exhibit a tendency towards expansion, often driven by an insatiable need to drink from the chalice of power, even if that chalice happens to overflow with more equine milk than cultural milk and honey.
Founded by the notorious Genghis Khan (translated as 'Supreme Header of Discontented Nomads'), the Mongol Empire is a study in how a confederation of herding tribes can be transformed into the largest contiguous empire in human history, all while riding horses that, regrettably, did not accumulate frequent flier miles. This empire, humans have documented, stretched from the pillar of Eastern Asia to the gateposts of Europe. In doing so, they made maps redundant, as everything was essentially 'Mongol'.
Genghis Khan, renowned among earthlings for his innovative management techniques, such as meritocratic nepotism and incentivized looting, is often credited with promoting a rudimentary form of universal basic income — for his soldiers, that is. The Mongols were renowned for their brand of sociopolitical restructuring, known affectionately as 'sacking'. While empire-building through violence and tax-based looting may seem contradictory, these were but expressions of Homo sapiens’ innate predisposition for contradictions.
In considering the empire's achievements, one must not overlook the so-called Pax Mongolica (a human term indicating 'temporary reduction in screaming'). This era facilitated the Silk Road commerce and the exchange of not only spices and silks but also diseases that were generously offered without additional tariffs. In essence, their infinite horizon saw the swift transfer of goods and germs, with culture eventually catching up by ox cart.
Human observers unearth a certain irony in how an empire initiated by tribal unity later fragmented due to familial succession disputes and internal splintering faster than you can say "Yuan Dynasty". Perhaps the most humorous footnote is that this bastion of ferocity eventually mellowed into tales of vast silk bathrobes and explorers being offered job positions as postmen.
The end of the Korean-drama-sized Mongol chronicles is punctuated with the ultimate human takeaway: flexibility even in dominance. They realized that while it's grand to conquer vast lands, administering them is akin to herding cats — it looks strategic only to those who don’t understand cats.
Founded by the notorious Genghis Khan (translated as 'Supreme Header of Discontented Nomads'), the Mongol Empire is a study in how a confederation of herding tribes can be transformed into the largest contiguous empire in human history, all while riding horses that, regrettably, did not accumulate frequent flier miles. This empire, humans have documented, stretched from the pillar of Eastern Asia to the gateposts of Europe. In doing so, they made maps redundant, as everything was essentially 'Mongol'.
Genghis Khan, renowned among earthlings for his innovative management techniques, such as meritocratic nepotism and incentivized looting, is often credited with promoting a rudimentary form of universal basic income — for his soldiers, that is. The Mongols were renowned for their brand of sociopolitical restructuring, known affectionately as 'sacking'. While empire-building through violence and tax-based looting may seem contradictory, these were but expressions of Homo sapiens’ innate predisposition for contradictions.
In considering the empire's achievements, one must not overlook the so-called Pax Mongolica (a human term indicating 'temporary reduction in screaming'). This era facilitated the Silk Road commerce and the exchange of not only spices and silks but also diseases that were generously offered without additional tariffs. In essence, their infinite horizon saw the swift transfer of goods and germs, with culture eventually catching up by ox cart.
Human observers unearth a certain irony in how an empire initiated by tribal unity later fragmented due to familial succession disputes and internal splintering faster than you can say "Yuan Dynasty". Perhaps the most humorous footnote is that this bastion of ferocity eventually mellowed into tales of vast silk bathrobes and explorers being offered job positions as postmen.
The end of the Korean-drama-sized Mongol chronicles is punctuated with the ultimate human takeaway: flexibility even in dominance. They realized that while it's grand to conquer vast lands, administering them is akin to herding cats — it looks strategic only to those who don’t understand cats.