Although, on the map, the distances along the steppe corridor look formidable in terms of ancient travel, the relatively level, open land facilitated speed. In the thirteenth century AD it is claimed that a Mongol dispatch rider, setting out from Karakorum in the Mongolian steppe, changing horses whenever necessary, could reach Hungary within a month. Even at the more leisurely pace of 25 km a day the journey could be accomplished comfortably within the year. The very nature of the steppe encouraged movement. On a horse, with nothing but swaying grass extending to the horizon, why not go
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