From the readings and discussions we have had in class, I believe that the most important element that Ogodei used to maintain the empire was the way that he conducted government affairs. More specifically, how the way he ran his government allowed him to gain support  from those of lower social status, much like his father. Beyond this, I believe that the regimented way he went about creating policies allowed for much more trust in him.  I will be drawing from the Marshall reading and the Secret History to help prove my claim. 

The Marshall reading supports  my claim  in a few different ways. The first way it supports my claim is the way it paints a picture of Ogodei as a person.  On page 74, “Ogodei was also a great bon viveur, having a well-developed sense for wine”(Marshall) . It also describes him as the most generous and tolerant of Chinggis’ descendents.  Both of these add to my thesis of the last blog post, which is that the underlying psychology of Chinggis allowed him to unite the Mongols. In this context, the people understanding Ogodei as someone who is “like them”,  in that  he gets drunk, as well as seeing how generous he is(I will expand on this in the next paragraph) would allow  them to trust in him as much as they did Chinggis. 

The Secret History  also supports these claims that Ogodei’s empire was able to thrive through these psychological means.  Throughout the excerpt, we can see the way he conducts governmental affairs is very fair/tolerant, much like how the Marshall reading describes.  He goes through all the  proper channels/chain of command. “If these proposals… are found right… brother Chaghatai’s decision shall be acted upon”(Secret History 55). This  choice to put Ogodei deciding this chain of command feels deliberate. As a way to maintain that Ogodei is fair and balanced, and that there would not be a fight between the descendants to grab the power. This is not to mention the policies that helped those of lower classes. “… From every hundred sheep,  one sheep shall be taken and handed to the poor and needy within that tribe” (Secret History of the Mongols 54).  The way these policies helped those in need seemed to inspire the same trust that the Mongols put in Chinggis, being that Chinggis used old Mongol traditions to unite. 

Conclusion:

Both of these sources support my claim  that the way Ogodei continued to handle policies is what kept the empire intact. His policies took after his father’s, while also allowing for room of improvement in  areas like  settling down. Beyond that,  the persona Ogodei has in the texts is  very charismatic  and seems to psychologically push that he is a capable leader as well as a good person. The fact he  is consistently touted as fair  must have boosted his support for  being leader, not to mention the policies he pushed for allowed his people to see that he was as fair as he claimed. 

Bibliography: 

Marshall, R. (1993). Storm from the East: From Genghis Khan to Khubilai Khan. University of California Press.

Secret History of the Mongols excerpt from Annotation 2 assignment

The way that the Mongol military was run, under both Chinggis and Ogedei’s rule, with the leadership from Subotai and Batu, was what made the Mongol Empire so successful and dominant.

One part of the military that was a key part in their success, was the way that the military ranks were based off skill and loyalty to the tribe, instead of it being completely based off familial ties. For example, Subotai, one of the greatest generals for the Mongol Empire, rose to high prowess in the military for his strong tactical leadership abilities rather than his lineage. The way that Chinggis was able to foster this system, he rewarded them with wealth and land grants for the soldiers and their families.

Another key part in the Mongol military was the way that the military conquered land, and added members to the tribe and miliary. The intense and grueling conquering of other surrounding cities and states, witnessed by other states, made scaring the enemy even easier. During Subotai’s attack on Bulgar, “Subotai sent his soldiers to subjugate all the peoples east of the Volga between the Kama River and the Caspian, destroying their towns, slaying the inhabitants, and taking many of their men prisoner.” (Gabriel, page 2) This is a perfect example from the chapter, Attack on the West, of the Mongol strategy, as they attacks towns, they killed over 50,000 people, and left their towns in anguish for all to hear and see. The way that the military was able to grow was also taking members of other empires, and adding them to their forces, to strengthen their military. “The Bulgars and Cumans were nomadic people with long traditions of horsemanship and fighting on horseback. These tribal warriors were impressed into the Mongol army. During the summer and fall of 1237, the defeated young men of these border tribes were trained in Mongol methods of war and integrated into the Mongol formations under the careful eye and command of Mongol officers. These contingents swelled the size of the Mongol army to almost 200,000 men.” (Gabriel, page 2) By adding more skilled warriors to the military, the Mongols could not be stopped, as they were already strong horsemen as well.

The Mongols were very tactical in their attack plans, as we’ve discussed in class, an important factor in the plans of the Mongol generals was to plan the attack during the winter. “For these reasons, and the fact that European feudal armies were rarely prepared or equipped to fight in winter, the Mongols launched their attack in winter, when the frozen rivers, streams, and marshes presented no obstacle to Mongol horse mobility and, in fact, enhanced it.” (Gabriel, pg 1) They were also very tactical in their usage of fire, and their most significant weapon, the composite bow and arrow. For example, the plan to attack Rus, was when this played a large role in their conquest. The Mongols would light the arrows on fire, and launch the arrows at buildings and ravage the towns as they were built of mostly wood. A similar concept was used in 1241, during the Battle of Legnica, as described in YouTube video produced by Kings and Generals, the Mongols set a trap around the Polish army, setting fire to the plants, creating smoke that distracted the Polish army, giving the Mongols time to attack them amidst the smoke. The Mongols then were able to behead Henry the Second from the attack. Another example of a tactic the Mongols used was the use fake retreat tactics to confuse and then attack enemies. During the attack against the Hungarians, the Mongols had to cross the Sajo River over a bridge. The Mongols sent some horsemen to the bridge during the night, and was caught by the Hungarians, and seemingly retreated. The Mongols then used their circling technique to cross around shallow parts of the river to flank around the establishment, Batu then ordered a distraction of the use of a catapult, as the other troops surrounded the Hungarians. The circling tatic played a large role in the conquest as well, as they were able to successfully surround the Hungarian army, leaving the population of Hungary to the Mongols.

Overall, the Mongol military tactics of adding to their army, striking fear into enemies with their brutality, and cunning attack plans is what made the Mongol military so strong, and powerful empire.

The cornerstone of the Mongol Empire as it existed by the time of Ögedei Khan’s death in 1241 was undoubtedly its military. It served not just as a means of conquest, but as a comprehensive system for organization, integration, and control, seamlessly bringing together diverse peoples, cultures, and territories into a functioning empire. While governance, trade, and communication were crucial, these elements were all supported by a military that wasn’t merely an army; it was the very backbone of the empire.

What set the Mongol military apart was its remarkable adaptability and efficiency. The empire expanded astonishingly fast, not just thanks to superior tactics and mobility, but also because the Mongols were adept at incorporating conquered peoples. They transformed former enemies into valuable contributors. Soldiers, engineers, and administrators from places like China, Persia, and the steppe were woven into the military fabric. For instance, Khwarazmian and Qipchak soldiers were welcomed into the ranks, Chinese engineers helped build siege weaponry, and local administrators were kept on ensuring smooth governance. Instead of outright obliterating enemy states, the Mongols reconfigured them to advance the empire’s interests.

The most impressive aspect of the military was not just the formations but rather the tactics used. During The Great Cavalry Raid, the tactics used to wipe out the Georgian army were revolutionary, to say the least. Having the Georgian army believe they were retreating to instigate them to chase, once they started to chase the Mongols would charge again with more cavalry in turn wiping them out entirely. This fake retreating method would cause the Georgian army to become broken and scattered. “Now the Mongols mounted fresh horses and launched a devastating counterattack. Preceded by a storm of arrow fire, this time the Mongol heavy cavalry, aboard their new mounts, struck the enemy formation and drove a wedge into the Georgian army.” (Gabriel. P. 90)

Additionally, military conquests were the adhesive that held their empire together. Unlike many other empires that faced constant uprisings, the Mongols maintained order through relentless military oversight. They stationed garrisons across the territory, safeguarded roads and relay stations (known as yam) with armed patrols, and swiftly quelled rebellions. The Mongol military established a powerful presence, making sure that once a region was under their control, it stayed firmly part of the empire.

The impact of this military-led integration was clear throughout the vast expanse of the empire by 1241. The Jin Dynasty, once fierce adversaries, had been dismantled and their administrative systems were adapted for Mongol use. The Khwarazmian state met a similar fate, yet its military leaders ended up fighting alongside the Mongols as auxiliaries. The fragmented Rus principalities and Qipchaks fell under Mongol military command and were made to pay tribute. Even regions as distant as Hungary and Poland couldn’t escape the political realities shaped by Mongol military power.

In the end, while governance, trade, and diplomacy were important, they all relied on the military’s ability to guarantee stability, unity, and control. The Mongol Empire represented more than just a collection of conquered lands; it was a sprawling, intricately woven system sustained by military might. Without the effectiveness of the Mongol military in both conquest and integration, the expansive realm that Ögedei left behind in 1241 would have likely been a fragile collection of territories rather than a strong, cohesive, multi-ethnic powerhouse.

By the time Ogodei died in 1241 the most important factor in bringing together the Mongol empire was their military with their extremely advanced armor, siege machines, and coordinated attacks. Taking over all the other tribes and their land like the Jin, Khwarazm, Georgia, Qipchaks, Rus, Hungary and Poland wouldn’t have been possible without the mongols military tactics.

The process of decimalization was a very important part of the mongols military in multiple ways. They had groups of 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 soldiers with the group of 10,000 being their main fighting group. Majority of this army was people from other tribes that they had previously taken over or agreed to join. This system made communication way easier for the mongols as well since there were people in charge of each of the groups who were communicating all the military orders throughout the groups. These orders were able to move very quickly throughout the ranks which many other tribes lacked like the Rus cities.

As with any military everyone would wear some type of armor while going into battle. Another unique detail with the Mongol military was their armor, specifically their silk undershirts. This is a tactic they learned from the Chinese because if something like an arrow would make it through their leather shirts then it was very unlikely that it would go all the way through the silk undershirt as well. This contributed to their success as they were very protected compared to some of their enemies who may have only had on the leather garments giving them another advantage on the battlefield.

Coordinated attacks from the Mongols is what made their Military so deadly and was a big reason why the Mongol empire was able to reach the status that they had. In the book Daily life in the Mongol Empire chapter 5 informs us about what the mongols called the feigned retreat, “The Mongols to utilize one of their favorite military tactics, the feigned retreat. Countless times the unwitting enemy was drawn into pursuit of a retreating Mongol Column only later to find itself surrounded in a deadly trap” (lane, 104). Although the Mongols used this attack strategy often one very popular example of the Mongols using this feigned retreat strategy was against the Russian-cuman forces. By using this strategy, they would end up dividing the other sides military and catch them off guard. Mongols usually would start off by sending in their light cavalry which would be their archers, who were very skilled and famous for being able to hit their targets at any angle while being mounted on a fully galloping horse, they would ride around parallel to the other side and were often not very protected with armor so they would keep their distance from them. On a given signal they would all retreat meanwhile all the other Mongolian troops were flanking or encircling their enemies without them knowing. A big way that the Mongols were able to conquer major Rus cities Like Kiev was by firing flaming arrows over the fortified city walls. The Mongols came up with this idea to easily destroy this major city since they knew that most of the Kiev structures were made from wood. Later on they also used coordinated attacks on Hungary and Poland at the same time. Mongols sent two groups of tumen (2,000 soldiers) into Hungary through the mountain range to catch them off guard. However, they also sent one group into Poland so that the Poland troops wouldn’t be able to flank the Mongol troops in Hungary and stop their attacks.

At all times the Mongol military was thinking of all possibilities and using them to their advantage especially in their western campaign through Khwarazm, Hungary, Poland, Rus and the Qipchaks to grow their empire even further. Ultimately all the military successes the Mongols had with their advanced attack strategies was the most important factor in why the Mongols were able to build up their unified empire.

Bibliography

Lane, G. (2010). Daily life in the Mongol Empire. ABC-Clio.

One of the largest empires in history was established by Genghis Khan and his descendants, including Ogodei Khan. They conquered a wide range of territories, including portions of Europe, China, Russia, and Persia. However, conquering new locations was just one aspect of the difficulty. Keeping all these diverse people under one powerful empire, despite their many languages, customs, and religious beliefs, was the true test.
Before the Mongols, a lot of empires had collapsed due to their inability to administer all the territories under their authority. However, the Mongols were different. They succeeded in holding everything together, and the biggest reason for that was their excellent organization and smart way of running the empire. Ogodei Khan, who became the Great Khan after Genghis Khan, made sure the Mongol Empire didn’t just grow but also stayed strong. He set up an organized way to govern the lands they had conquered. His establishment of a suitable tax structure was among his most significant accomplishments. Ogodei ensured that taxes were collected fairly and consistently rather than simply stealing money from the people and leaving. As a result, the empire always had the funds to maintain order, create roads, and fund its army without provoking rebellion among the residents of the area.

Another major thing Ogodei introduced was the Yam, a postal system that worked like a relay network. There were stations with new messengers and horses all around the empire. This made it possible for information to spread easily, even over thousands of kilometers. The Great Khan could issue orders to his generals in China or Russia in a matter of days rather than months. Managing the empire, handling issues, and ensuring that various regions remained connected to the main authority were all made simple by this system.

Ogodei also turned the Mongol capital, Karakorum, into a hub for governance and education. He established educational institutions where Mongol youngsters received training to become future administrators and leaders. To ensure that laws and rulings were enforced equitably across the empire, he also maintained records and preserved significant papers. Ogodei realized that it was wiser to include local officials from the countries they had conquered, in contrast to many conquerors who solely utilized their people to rule. These local leaders helped ensure that Mongol control was accepted rather than continuously opposed since they were familiar with the local populace and customs.

The Mongol Empire remained strong and unified due to their organizational skills as well as their skill in battle. They created a fast mail system and a tax collection system under Ogodei Khan which allowed them to rule their empire spanning from China to Eastern Europe. Because of these systems, the empire continued to grow after he died in 1241.

The Mongol’s success was due to their empire administration, even though they are known for their battles. For a long time, they were able to maintain their large empire through planning and strong leadership. Because of this, the Mongol Empire is regarded as one of the most successful in history.

Bibliography: 

• Marshall, R. (1993). Storm from the East: From Genghis Khan to Khubilai Khan. University of California Press.

The single most important factor in the consolidation of the Mongol empire by 1241 was the erasure of tribal conflict. It is from this change that every new innovation in the Mongol empire comes. It fundamentally changed the way every Mongol operated and allowed them the unity and cohesion to take over the known world. We will go over two main reasons as to why this change was so transformational and was ultimately the most important in the expansion of the Mongol empire.

First, as obvious as it sounds, not fighting each other made everything easier. Prior to Ogodei and Chinggis, much of Mongol life in the steppe was dedicated to fighting/protecting yourself from other tribes. In eliminating all of this opposition, the Mongols freed up time to fight while simultaneously and exponentially growing their size. With this huge sector of life now open, the Mongols could focus on taking over other areas instead of fighting within themselves. This allowed for them to focus their forces on larger and more challenging provinces. These conflicts allow for them to amass both excess wealth, and technological superiority and experience. Without the elimination of tribes, the Mongols would not be in a place to create siege engines and plunder cities. Chinggis himself was a victim to these sorts of inward conflicts, and subsequently made this reformation. However, it needed some strengthening after Chinggis’s passing. He was a very strong and reformatory leader, by his own word chosen from God himself, so how was anyone that comes after him to hold a candle? To lead in their own right?

Ogodei, in order to make sure his democratically elected position is secure, added a fold of complexity to this idea of the erasure of tribalism. In order to remain out of tribal conflict and appease both the poorest of society as well as the richest, he enacts various Mongolian laws aimed at keeping everyone happy and satisfied within the empire, preventing tribalism. He says that for the get togethers of his brothers and bodyguards, he will select mares “from the various units of a thousand and in the different regions, be milked, and then entrusted to the care of milkers… further, when the brothers assemble, I would like to give them presents and tokens of favor… silk and bars of silver, quivers, bows, armor and weapons…” (Secret History, 54). This giving of gifts alludes to a knowledge of how fragile this lack of tribalism is and how important it was to keep together. Ogodei actively strengthened his bonds with all of his brothers and generals because of this knowledge, and they complied because they also knew this is what kept them as such a formidable power.

Thus, in conclusion, it cannot be debated that the erasure of tribalism is the single most important element in “the knitting of a true united empire… by the time Ogodei died in 1241.” It had not changed since his father died, and it remained the most important factor in their dominance. Had Ogodei forgotten the importance of collectivism and decided to turn into a dictator who takes all the spoils, the entire project would have failed.

Aiding Governance and Facilitating Military Campaigns and Communication

The government played a huge roll in the making sure that the empire, while growing exponentially, stayed connected. The government while also keeping the people informed with their decisions as fast as they could, made sure that they tried to keep expanding and taking over towns and cities. For key communication, according to Marshall’s “excerpt on Ogodei” said that Ogedei “forged” a system from his father called the “Yam” that was a network of riders whose sole purpose was to travel to generals around the empire to make sure that all the generals were informed and made sure that they knew what to do. This strengthened the authority around the empire allowing them to synchronize and communicate as fast as possible for their time. They were also used as escorts, escorting “visiting envoys” to generals, making sure that they were safe other the thousands of miles of the steppe. They could have been used for transporting materials as well, “especially along the roads from China,” according to Marshall. They could’ve also been used for helping gather intelligence on neighboring cities and empires. Allowing them to conquer and expand even more. The Yam played crucial roles while helping the empire. The routes between staging posts were highly traveled by the Yam. Also they regularly dug up wells to make sure the supply of water was constant for the traveling armies. This and spare horses allowed travel for armies much easier and less exhaustive, making the Yam highly crucial in the empire’s expansion. The staging posts, set up around 25-30 miles apart, provided messengers with food, shelter, and fresh horses. This system made sure royal orders were spread quickly and efficiently. A lot of local population became pivotal in helping the Yam on their traveling journeys. While the food and horses were upkept by the local population, the messengers traveled through, making sure everything was up to par and the empire was being fed. This upkeep allowed for the system to be maintained by the army and was very well kept up to date. Messengers had to carry a form of identification while traveling along these routes, they called it a “paiza.” Usually made of wood, but people of higher authority might have been made of silver or gold. Usually very decorated with engravings of a tiger or falcon, which also indicated the “rank of the holder.” The custodian locals would usually hear the courier coming and have fresh horses “saddled and ready” for them to keep their trek going. According to Marshall there was one occasion that had a message travel 1000 miles in a month This allowed for heavy and efficient military action. Being able to expand was very important to Ogedei, carrying on his father legacy and keep growing his empire was one of the things he wanted to do when Genghis died. He did quite well, expanding even further east, taking over towns and cities in eastern Europe making his empire vast.

Hey everyone! When thinking about which was the most important factor that helped the Mongols unite the steppe, a lot of different things come to mind. Today, I’d like to explain the decimal system, created for the Mongol military by Chinggis Khan. This was not your ordinary military system. It was a fundamental tool that helped the Mongols to easily manage and control their large empire. This was an empire that stretched from the forests of Eastern Europe to the steppes of Asia. By creating the decimal system the Mongols made sure that military efficiency and administrative cohesion were the key aspects for their rapid territorial expansion and sustained economic success. Unlike the European approach that hired knights and had peasants fight in their army. The Mongol system created unity and an army that was able to work together to take down their rivals. The system’s simplicity and effectiveness allowed for quick decisions and seamless integration of various conquered peoples, facilitating the empire’s growth and stability.

Why was the decimal system so important? The Mongol military utilized a unique structure that helped them implement a direct chain of command, leading to complete unity. “To strengthen and develop his armies he introduced the process of decimalization in which military units were divided into decimal units of 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000, with the tumen of 10,000 being the major fighting unit” (Lane, p. 96). This arrangement optimized command and control across extensive distances and among diverse populations, ensuring rapid mobilization and effective governance.

this system catalyzed significant organizational and social transformations within the empire. Old tribal allegiances were replaced by a unified loyalty to the state and its leader. Historical records highlight this shift: “The old Turco-Mongol social setup was completely undermined by the new decimal military structure, and a fundamental realignment took hold” (Lane, p. 96). This restructuring was instrumental in forging a sense of solidarity and national identity among the myriad cultures within the empire.

The decimal system also greatly enhanced the Mongol Empire’s administrative capabilities. This well-organized framework fostered a strong sense of collective responsibility among the troops, which was essential for maintaining discipline and cohesion throughout the empire. Its simplicity and clarity facilitated the swift integration of newly conquered territories by establishing a clear and manageable hierarchy. This adaptability allowed the Mongols to respect local customs, fostering loyalty among subdued populations and scaling their administrative and military efforts efficiently. The system minimized confusion and streamlined command chains, enabling swift mobilization of resources and prompt responses to logistical, military, and administrative challenges.

The influence of the decimal system extended beyond military realms into civilian governance, allowing the Mongols to govern vast territories with minimal personnel. This strategy not only reduced the administrative burden but also enabled local populations to continue living under their traditional laws, albeit under Mongol oversight. Such approaches were key in maintaining stability and fostering loyalty among the conquered regions.

The decimal system was the cornerstone of the Mongol Empire’s organization and administrative structure, while also being an essential military tool. It made efficient resource control and quick mobilization a possibility, both of which were crucial in maintaining the empire’s growth. The Mongols were able to build a legacy through the use of this strategic consistency and flexibility by integrating this system into their military structures. These ideas helped them in handling all aspects of their large empire.

I hope this discussion shows how the Mongols were able to effectively manage such a vast empire. I would love to hear all of your guys thoughts on this topic or what you guys think the most important aspect was.

Source: Lane, George. Daily Life in the Mongol Empire. Greenwood Press, 2006.

The single greatest factor that led to the closely knit unity of the Mongolian empire was the recurring promise of economic compensation for the time and sacrifices made in joining the confederacy and its potentially life-threatening campaigns. Their precise military administrative abilities and economic incentives allowed them to maintain consistent governance throughout their empire.
It’s easiest to analyze the Mongol’s strengths when put against a comparatively feeble foe like the Polish or Hungarian knights, not only are the Mongols superior in their physical combat tactics, and they have more efficient movement speeds, lighter more flexible armor, and direct command communication, but also their preservative systems of unity and loyalty to their own respective greater cause far outdo the latter knight’s range of fealty. If I were, as a general, to pick between the virtues of physical military prowess and unity, then I’d pick unity any day of the week. It is mentioned that the Qipchaks/Cumans were similarly composed, having very similar fighting styles, weapons, and horse riding mastery, but the lack of cooperation with their own greater tribes, meant their numbers couldn’t possibly hold up against the overwhelming united Mongols forces. The Mongols were truly unified under the command of their great Khan and would make many a drastic sacrifice to achieve his expansive plans because any gains made for him were in turn made for the benefit of the collective. They also had the insight to recruit the military machines of the lands they previously conquered including the likes of the fleeing Qipchacks. So what kept them closely knit together? It was loot, economics. Well governed distribution of wealth.
Ogodei and by extension, the Mongols were notably keen on learning from their foes and conquered lands. From the Kitans they implemented the use of a Darughachi “a sort of all purpose Mongol official who was stationed in the conquered territory” (Marshall. 72) this shows that they were not closed minded in the development of their ways and that they had strong organizational intentions. These Darughachi taxed, the lands conquered and the wealth was distributed generously in week long festivals, this ensured the cycle of loyalty would persist through the many perilous campaigns that would often span multiple years. Knowing that there is direct profit coming from plundered settlements makes the plunderers in question far more deliberate and relentless. There is undisputed loyalty given to the generous hand that feeds you, by ensuring loot after campaigns you thus ensure loyalty. Differently from his father Ogodei was truly an emperor, seldom personally joining the battlefield, but his commands were respected amongst the troops and undisputed going down the chain of commands, leading to precise and decisive actions from the Mongol troops. The creation of small mail stages for more effective communication roots. These implementations show the Mongols authoritative organization tactics that paved the way for their victories. Their ability to recognize the importance of a central command, and hone the governance to a fine point was key to maintaining the closely knit confederacy.

In my opinion the single greatest idea or factor that attributed to the Mongols achieving that status of becoming a true united empire was the use of a tax system . I believe there were plenty of other ideas from a military front and administratively to keep everyone in line that were associated with the mongols, but I believe that without the use of this tax system the Mongols would ahem never been able to truly taking over the west and going more into Europe. One of the reasons I believe that this system was the most powerful and useful factor was simply due to the fact that Ogodei and the Mongols could basically pick and choose what materials and what type of payment they wanted from their regions or areas that they conquered based on what was the areas most profitable source of income. These incomes varied and that was the reason that this tax system was so useful, because the Mongols could now have whatever resources they wanted and were able to do anything civility wise due to this whole system.

” The Mongol demand was for submission, a tax for 10 per cent and reinforcements for their army. The Riazan prince replied contemptuously that, if the Mongols were prepared to wait, once the inhabitants were all gone they could have everything( Marshall, pg.97).” We can see here that in this text that I have provided that whatever the taxation was that the mongols had created went and the areas that were conquered just agreed to what they said, I believe for one that this alone is why this system created such a powerful tool for the Mongol “empire”. The Ryazan were close to the Rus people in a geographical sense and in this example not only did the prince of Ryazan conform to what the mongols were asking as a taxation but literally said one the non armed people are out of this area they could take whatever they wanted and I see this as scared stamen as they mongol power and this taxation system seemed very powerful to the conquered people like the Ryazan.

Another thing to think about is that a lot of the mongol army were not blood related mongol men, that means that the army was made up of conquered people that were most likely taken either in a form of force from the conquering of their homeland or from the form of taxation that their leaders gave them up as a form of tax as that’s what the moguls asked for when it came to taxing their people. According to a document provided by (Gabriel, pg.110), “Subotai had 120,000 men at his disposal to carry out the Invasion and conquest of Hungary.”I would say that the nourishment and just the access to this many men is not due the Mongols originally having this many bodies available but due to the accumulation over time and that is partly due to the resources that were achieved through the tax system that was set in place by Ogodei who was the leader of the Mongols when this was all set into place.