| “ | The Mongols are the exception.
— John Green
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” |
In the early 13th century, Genghis Khan united the nomadic Mongol tribes through military campaigns, consolidating his power and establishing the Mongol Empire. The resulting Mongol army, renowned for its exceptional horsemanship and archery skills, quickly became a dominant force on the world stage.
The army was highly disciplined and organized. It consisted of mounted warriors organized into units known as tumens, each comprising 10,000 soldiers. The Mongols employed innovative military tactics, such as feigned retreats and swift cavalry movements, which caught their enemies off guard. Their mobility and adaptability proved crucial in conquering vast territories.
Under Genghis Khan's successors, the Mongol army continued to expand, conquering China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Eastern Europe. This expansion was facilitated by their superior cavalry and an extensive messenger network, known as the Yam system. This ensured efficient communication across their vast empire. The Mongols' success was also attributed to their effective integration of conquered peoples into their forces.
Notable campaigns led by the Mongol Army included the invasion of Khwarazm, the conquest of the Jin Dynasty in northern China, and the devastating invasions of the Islamic Abbasid Caliphate and the Kievan Rus. These conquests left a lasting impact on the regions they subdued, both in terms of political and cultural transformation. However, the Mongol Army faced setbacks, notably its failed invasion of Japan. They also encountered difficulties governing their vast empire due to its sheer size and cultural diversity, which eventually led to its fragmentation.
Battle vs. Ottoman Army (by Goddess of Despair)[]
Mongol empire-10 Ottoman empire-10
The Mongol cavalry ride down a hill scouting for their comrades at camp. The 3 Ottoman archers spot the cavalry a fire a hail of arrows, hitting one man all over his body. The Mongol horse archer retreats and fires several arrows at the archers, hitting one in the throat. Mongol empire-9 Ottoman empire-9
The cavalry officer rides into camp, informing his commanding officer of the Ottomans. His c.o prepares to speak but is interrupted by an arrow. The Mongol archer turns quickly and fires an arrow into the Ottoman’s chest. Mongol empire-8 Ottoman empire-8
The Ottoman cavalry storm the camp and the unsuspecting Mongols are slow to respond. In the chaos, the Mongol’s last horse was killed. The 2 Mongol archers fire arrows at the cavalry; one man succumbs to an arrow in the shoulder, and the others horse is riddled with arrows. The man gets up and draws his Kilij, slicing a Mongol soldier’s head off. Mongol empire-7 Ottoman empire-7
The final Ottoman archer fires two arrows at the Mongol archers, both hitting the Mongol’s in the head; the archer hears footsteps and turns to have a mace slam his head, crushing his skull.
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Two Mongols armed with glaives approach the Ottoman leader and his guards. “Defend me!” said the leader as his two guards intercept the Mongols with halberds. The Mongol on the left feints a slash above and quickly stabs the guard in the chest before he could realize the trick. Mongol empire-5 Ottoman empire-5
The second guard using the axe end of the halberd slashes horizontally. The Mongol dodges but the guard quickly shifts his arms and slams the hook end of the halberd into the Mongol’s side. He falls to the ground as the Ottoman finishes him off with a stab to the throat. Mongol empire-5 Ottoman empire-4
The Ottoman leader draws his yatagan and dodges a thrust by the Mongol, and slashed off his head. Mongol empire-4 Ottoman empire-4
His last 3 men regroup with him and he takes one of their Kilijs. The Ottomans retreat back to their own camp, to find their supplies destroyed. Suddenly two Mongols attack the Ottomans from the rear, slamming their maces into the Ottomans in the back. The Ottomans turn to face the two Mongol when suddenly two more Mongols appear behind them. The Ottomans get massacred in the circle of Mongols.
Mongol empire-4 Ottoman empire-X
Expert's opinion[]
This was a close fight, but the Mongols were able to out match the Ottomans thanks to the power of the killij and their skills in horse archery. The Ottomans could fair well at medium range but the skills the Mongols had on horseback were just to much for them to handal. The winner of the real world war one is the Mongol empire.