Dan Snow's History Hit How the Mongols Changed the World
Dec 20, 2024
Marie Favereau, an Associate Professor of History at Paris Nanterre University, dives into the profound legacy of the Mongol Empire. She unpacks how the Mongols shaped global development, akin to Rome, and facilitated a vibrant entrepreneurial boom across Eurasia. The conversation reveals the complexity of Mongol governance, their innovative military strategies, and the cultural exchanges they fostered. Favereau also discusses the misconceptions around nomadic societies, highlighting the Mongols' dual role as conquerors and effective city builders.
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The Mongols in Historiography
- Traditional historiography often overlooks the Mongol empire's influence, portraying it as short-lived.
- This oversight stems from nationalist narratives in Russia, China, and the Middle East, where downplaying Mongol dominance bolstered national identities.
Mongol Conquest and Control
- The Mongols were renowned warriors who used mobility strategically, covering vast distances.
- Their clever strategies, including indirect control through tools like taxation and administration, were crucial.
Mongol Governance
- The Mongols' nomadic power and mobility allowed them to control vast territories and cross major rivers.
- They maintained control by summoning sedentary subjects to their nomadic courts and fostering trade within communities.
