Genghis Khan was born on 31 May 1162 in Delüün Boldog. Born as Temüjin, the founder of the Mongol Empire rose from a childhood of hardship on the steppe and united the Mongol and Turkic tribes through warfare and alliances. In 1206 an assembly proclaimed him Genghis Khan, meaning universal ruler. He organised a disciplined army and a legal code, and then attacked neighbouring states, conquering the Western Xia and the Jin dynasty in northern China and destroying the Khwarazmian Empire in Central Asia. His campaigns caused enormous destruction and loss of life. He died during a campaign against the Western Xia, and his successors extended the empire across Eurasia.
Before and after
- from 1159 to 1259Capetian-Plantagenet rivalry
- 1160Construction of Chillon Castle
- from 26 November 1161 to 27 November 1161Battle of Caishi
- from 1162 to 1841Kingdom of Navarre
- 31 May 1162Birth of Genghis Khan
- from 6 August 1162 to 1 January 1715Crown of Aragon
- from 1163 to 1169Crusader invasions of Egypt
- 1163Battle of al-Buqaia
- 1163Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris begins
More in Wars, politics & history
- 5th centurySalic law
- August 843 CETreaty of Verdun
- from 1147 to 1149Second Crusade
- from 1189 to 1192Third Crusade
- from 1202 to 1204Fourth Crusade
- 1279Kublai Khan completes the conquest of China
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 12th century.