The Mongols

Rise and Fall of an Empire

A historical-style drawing of Genghis Khan with a white hair, black pointed adornments on each side of the head, and a lengthy, finely detailed beard. Image credit: Chinggis Khaan, painting on silk. Copy of the original, Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.

In the 13th and 14th centuries CE, the Mongols ruled over the largest empire the world had ever seen. Stretching from the Pacific in the east to the shores of the Black Sea in the West, the Mongols controlled around 24 million square kilometres. Their empire was one of extremes. The Mongols were known for their talent in battle, their thirst for conquest, and brutal massacres. They were also patrons of science, strong believers in religious tolerance, and facilitated the trade of goods and ideas between Europe and Asia. The single empire did not last long. It splintered in the 1260s into 4 rival khanates. Yet, the legacy of the Mongols – their culture, scientific achievements, and conquests – persist to this day.

6 minute read

She (Alan Go’a) gave them each an arrow shaft and told them to break it. Each one was broken – why would they not be? – and let fall. Again, she bundled together five arrow shafts, gave the shafts to them and told them to break them. All five of them one after another took the five arrow shafts joined together but were unable to do as she said and break it.
The Secret History of the Mongols, on Alan Go’a, ancestor of Genghis Khan.

Rise of the Mongols

The Eurasian Steppe has seen many nomadic conquerors rise and fall. Yet none were as successful and enduring as the Mongols. Through trade, diplomacy, and warfare, Genghis Khan and his descendants built the largest land empire the world had ever seen. Discover how the Mongols grew from humble origins to leave a legacy that changed the course of history.

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What Did The Mongols Ever Do For Us?

In Europe, it can be easy to mistake the Mongols as bloodthirsty conquerors. However, they also fostered a culture of scientific discovery and peaceful trade that was the envy of the world. For the first time in human history, advances in medicine and astronomy from China and Persia could freely travel to Europe. These ideas would then fuel the Renaissance, propelling Europe into the Enlightenment and Industrial age. Find out more about what the Mongols did for us.

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Kamikaze

In the late 13th century, the Mongol Yuan dynasty of China launched two invasions of Japan. Although both invasions failed, the threat of foreign invasion changed how Japan viewed both themselves and the outside world. In this article, explore the dramatic events of the invasions of 1274 and 1281, and how the myth of the ‘Divine Wind’ inspired Japanese military theory nearly 700 years later.

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Fall of an Empire

At their height, the Mongols presided over an empire that stretched from Bulgaria to Korea. Yet, by the late 15th century, most of the former Mongol territories had fallen – conquered by rival kingdoms or overthrown by the people living under them. Empires that rose from the ashes of the Mongols aspired to reclaim the legacy of Genghis Khan, but none succeeded. Discover how the Mongols became so powerful, yet fell victim to rebellion, plague, and family feuds.

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When Alan To’a spoke… to her five sons, she said
You, my five sons, were born from a single womb; you are just like the five arrow shafts. If you are alone one by one, you will be easily broken by anyone like the single arrow shafts. If like the arrow shafts joined together you are joined in accord as one, then how could you be easily broken by anyone?
Secret History of the Mongols, on Alan To’a, ancestor of Genghis Khan

More to the Mongols than meets the eye

Genghis Khan is coming to Leeds. The international blockbuster exhibition Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World will be charging into the Royal Armouries Museum until November 2026.

Discover the story of how the unstoppable force of Genghis Khan overcame exile, murder and betrayal to unite his people and rule over an empire that stretched from Europe to China.

For the first time in the UK, see over 250 rare and exciting objects from Mongolia which will tell the story of how the feared Mongol warriors of the Steppe, masters of horse and bow, forged an empire that gave us the first postal system, paper money and a policy of religious tolerance.

Find out more about the Genghis Khan Exhibition

Stylised banner showing illustrated portrait of Genghis Khan in traditional robe with large letter G and K in black behind him on salmon background

Mongolian Summer

Dynamic black silhouette of horse and Mongolian archer releasing an arrow, with bold orange rays radiating from the centre

Treat the kids to an epic adventure this summer at the Royal Armouries Museum.

Watch exciting horse shows, have a go at creative craft activities, see warriors battling through history, and discover unique treasures on a museum trail.

See our dare-devil riders demonstrate the skills and mounted combat techniques Mongolian horseman used as they rode across continents building their empire. From mounted archery displays to two-handed mace demos this is a show you won’t want to miss.