Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan, also written Jenghis or Zingis Khan, a Mongolian prince, was born about 1160, and succeeded to the throne at the age'of thirteen. His early years were spent in petty wars against local tribes, but in 1206 he invaded China, and breached the Great Wall. He renewed his attack twelve years later, stormed Pekin, and ulti- mately established his supremacyover the northern provinces, adding Eastern Persia, Samareand, Bokhara, and all Tartary to his dominions. It is computed that his conquests cost the lives of five millions of men. One of his most famous battles was fought in 1225 on the frozen lake of Koko Nor after a winter march across the Desert of Gobi. He then penetrated farther into China, and stormed Nankin. His empire extended from the banks of the Dnieper to the China Sea. He died on the march in 1227 near the banks of the river Sale, and his vast dominions were divided between his four sons. Though as cruel and unscrupulous as most conquerors, Genghis possessed some good qualities. He drew up a code, which still prevails; he showed religious toleration; and to his soldiers and his trusted friends he was just and generous.