The Rest Is History 165. The Rise of Genghis Khan
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Mar 21, 2022 Ali Ansari, a professor at St. Andrews University and an expert on the Mongol Empire, joins the hosts to unravel the fascinating origins of Genghis Khan. They discuss Temujin's transformative early years, including his arranged marriage to Borte and the tragic loss of his father. The conversation highlights his strategic rise amid tribal politics and the dynamics of loyalty and betrayal, particularly with his childhood friend, Jamuka. Expect engaging insights into nomadic life and the legendary aspects that shaped one of history's greatest warlords.
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John Wayne as Genghis Khan
- Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook open the podcast with a dramatic reading of John Wayne playing Genghis Khan.
- They discuss the 1956 film The Conqueror, where Wayne portrayed the Mongol leader.
Genghis Khan's Real Name
- Genghis Khan's true name is Temujin, not a title but his birth name.
- The name "Genghis Khan" is an honorific meaning "lord of all those who dwell in felt tents."
Mongol Unification
- The Mongols were several tribes, not a unified people, before Genghis Khan.
- Temujin unified them and focused their aggression outwards.