Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages

by Dan Jones

Second, annihilating all but totally subservient opponents ensured that Temüjin could win wars with relatively small armies, because he did not need to leave large numbers to police conquered communities. Yet balanced against rule by terror was a surprising degree of tolerance for those whom the Mongols allowed to survive. Clans and tribes who surrendered to the Mongols were actively integrated into Mongol society. Their men were expected to join the army, and the women and children were folded into the rest of the community. Meanwhile, most religious faiths were tolerated—a fact that would become increasingly important once the Mongol world started to expand outward. (Temüjin was fascinated by religious faiths in general, and usually viewed them as useful additions to Mongol shamanic paganism, rather than competitors.10) So from early in his career Temüjin conceived of a Mongol world characterized by overwhelming military force, but also a strong degree of enforced social cohesion. Many a dictator in world history after him would have similar ideas. Few would ever pursue or achieve their goals with such devastating success as Temüjin.