Mythical history and religion
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Military Tactics
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Mythical spells and myths
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Mythical History
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Other
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· Genghis khan and imperial heirs linked the eternal power of the sky god Tenggeri with temporal rude his designated (Mongol khan)
· Meant to teach children behavior lesson · Shamanism had been the dominant spiritual practice until persecution began · Buddhism started from south to the north · Did not have formal religious core built on Islam or Christianity · Base in firmament · Genghis believed in deity – Tenggeri ( Eternal heaven) · Controlled the faith of humans affairs · Unlike Buddhism and Christianity- lacked anthropomorphic form · 1240s Buddhism was influential · Ovoos – type of shamanistic cairn found in Mongolia made if rocks or wood found in high places · Water earth sky – essential elements in Mongol religious belief |
· Empires arise when leader exerts military power
· Most direct influence was in Asia · Empire built by nomads · Preferred living in tents in open · Accustom to mobile life · Genghis saw his father poisoned and bride kidnapped on wedding night by rival tribe · Found exotic gold, jewels and finery but inaccessible · Well armed · Entire empire built on backs of horses · Pre-Mongol history of steppe people since the domestication of horses · Subsequent refinements of – saddles, bridles, reins, sirrups, chariots and realted arms · Trained warriors from the moment the rode and pulled short but powerful bow · Advanced across Asia · Warriors need support, empires need administrators · Women trained to be independent · Women: nomadic life, often reared families maintained large numbers of animals · Same were hunters or shamans · nomads had pro knowledge making them useful warriors nerge- flexible technique of riders · Hunting developed skills with composite bows became primary weapon · Relying in its range of 300or more meters- pulled capacity from 45kg to 68 kg · Anyone who lost control was punished · Line gradually constructed a circle · When constructed, man demonstrated personal bravely and war skills · Must work as a unit , thus containing animals * defiant tactic of Mongol army · Had archers, learned to shoot targets at usually leather bags set atop poles or skins stretched on frames – while riding · Took a lot of upper body strength |
· Lamas taught tarani ( incantations) – individual; protection, destruction of evil, healing
· Every illness and organ had Tarani · Spiritual practice- operated not through spirits of the deceased, animals and nature- communicating with deities (Sahius) · Buddhist prohibited shamic blood sacrifices · Shamist known as black or evil religion |
· Become fundamental to Genghis philosophy of life and power
· Believed a god who created all visible and invisible being as well as all happiness and suffering in the world · Earth is a subordinate feminine force called Etugen · Etsegen Tenggeri- father heaven |
· Genghis interested in new technologies
· Chinese & Muslim introduced Catapults, battering rams, scaling ladders · Good medical care was essential, maintaining demanding life style and treating wounds · Knowledge of astronomy, enabled to gather info on climate |