In a single century the Mongols built the largest contiguous land empire the world has ever seen, from the Pacific to the gates of Europe. It was the work of a handful of extraordinary commanders, from the conqueror who founded the empire to the grandsons who carried it to China and the Danube, each linked to the campaign that made their name.
Genghis Khan. The founder, who united the Mongols and set them on the road to world conquest.
Genghis Khan in a 14th century portrait from the album of Yuan emperors in the National Palace Museum, Taipei. Public domain
Subutai. The master strategist who directed campaigns from China to Hungary and won the great victory at Mohi.
Batu Khan. The prince who led the invasion of Europe, conquered the Rus and founded the Golden Horde.
A quriltay of Mongol princes before the campaign against the Rus in 1236, a late 14th century miniature from a copy of Rashid al-Din's Jami al-Tawarikh. Public domain
Kublai Khan. The grandson who completed the conquest of China and ruled it as founder of the Yuan dynasty.
The empire of the steppe
Genghis Khan forged the Mongols into a war machine; Subutai gave it a strategist of genius; Batu carried it into Europe, his invasion crushing the Poles at Legnica in 1241; and Kublai turned conquest into a Chinese empire. Yet the tide had limits, halted in the west by the Mamluks at Ain Jalut in 1260 and in the east by the storms off Japan.
The Mongol Empire under Kublai, 1260 to 1294, and its successor states, from the Spruner and Menke historical atlas of 1880. Public domain
Who were the greatest commanders of the Mongol Empire?
The most celebrated are Genghis Khan, his strategist Subutai, Batu Khan of the Golden Horde and Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty.
Who was the greatest Mongol general?
Genghis Khan is the towering figure, but many rank Subutai as the finest field commander, for his campaigns from China to the heart of Europe.
How big was the Mongol Empire?
At its height it was the largest contiguous land empire in history, stretching from Korea and China across Central Asia to the Middle East and eastern Europe.
Did the Mongols ever lose?
Yes. Their advance was checked by the Mamluks at Ain Jalut in 1260 and their invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 failed, wrecked by storms.
Why did the Mongols invade Europe?
The western campaign of 1236 to 1242, planned by Subutai and led by Batu, conquered the Rus and struck into Poland and Hungary before withdrawing on the Great Khan's death.
Where can I read about their battles?
Each commander links to their key campaigns, from Legnica in Poland to the conquest of China, and the guides collect the wider story.
Command the hordes of the steppe
Echoes of Battle brings the great battles of history to life, scene by scene on the real map. Join the list to be first when it launches.
