Covering the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire, this essential reference presents the figures, places, and events that led this once-beleaguered region to rise up to become the largest contiguous empire in history.

In the 13th century, Chinggis Khan rose to power, leading an empire of a million people and defeating surrounding regions with much larger populations. This compendium follows the achievements—and failures—of the Mongol Empire from the birth of Chinggis Khan in 1162 to the formation of the successor states that came from the dissolution of the world power in the 16th century: the Yuan Empire in East Asia; the Chaghatai Khanate in Central Asia; the Ilkhanate in the Middle East; and the Jochid or Kipchak Khanate in the Pontic-Caspian Steppes, known as the Golden Horde.

Through some 180 entries, this two-volume set covers every aspect of Mongol civilization, organizing content into eight sections: government and politics, organization and administration, individuals, groups and organizations,

key events, military, objects and artifacts, and key places. Each section is accompanied by an essay introducing the topic in the context of the Mongol Empire. The work also includes a chronology, a number of annotated primary documents, and a bibliography.

Features

Introduces key figures, including women and lesser known members of the military and government

Contains a broad selection of annotated primary documents to foster student research

Provides an overview of the sovereignty and its institutional structures

Summarizes many of the battles fought by the Mongol Empire

Timothy May, PhD, is professor of Eurasian history and associate dean of the college of arts and letters at the University of North Georgia. In 2014, he was selected as North Georgia College and State University Alumni Association's distinguished professor. His published works include Greenwood's Culture and Customs of Mongolia as well as The Mongol Conquests in World History and The Mongol Art of War. He received his doctorate in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.