The History of the Mongols
Ben Hill
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A weekly podcast about the greatest land empire ever created.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jul 16, 2016
Tamerlane
Although not a member of Genghis Khan's clan Tamerlane looked to Genghis as he tried to build his own Asian empire.
Jul 16, 2016
Legacy
The Mongols ruled Eurasia for almost 200 years but what was the legacy of their empire?
Jul 3, 2016
The Last Emperor
Between 1333 Toghon Temur ruled as the last emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. He watched as China was conquered by the Ming and the era of the Mongol empire came to an end.
Jun 16, 2016
Crisis in the West
In the 1350's and 1360's the western half of the great Mongol empire began to break apart into a series of smaller states.
Jun 6, 2016
The Black Death
In the 1330's and 1340's the most devastating pandemic in history swept across Eurasia killing up to 50 million people.
May 24, 2016
Cracks in the Empire
In the early part of the 14th Century the whole Mongol empire came under increasing stress as the descendants of Genghis continued to fight over his legacy.
May 12, 2016
A Global Empire
In the early years of the 14th Century the 'Mongol Peace' allowed trade to flourish across the empire under the leadership of two young rulers.
Apr 1, 2016
Death of an Emperor
The last years of Khublai's reign were not happy as he dealt with economic difficulties and personal loss. His legacy though is immense.
Mar 20, 2016
Marco Polo
Marco Polo's journey and stay at the court of Kublai Khan is one of the most famous travel stories of all time that helped introduce Western audiences to China and the Mongols.
Mar 10, 2016
Kamikaze
After defeating the Song Dynasty, Kublai Khan tried to conquer Japan and South East Asia, but fell victim to the original Kamikaze.
Feb 27, 2016
Extra: Kubla Khan
This short episode looks at Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem inspired by the Mongols, Kubla Khan.
Feb 26, 2016
Xanadu
Following his election as Great Khan, Kublai had some important domestic issues to tackle , and two capitals to build.
Feb 17, 2016
The Emperor of China
Between 1264 and 1279 Kublai Khan completed the conquest of China. He become the first foreigner to rule over the whole country and founded the Yuan dynasty.
Feb 9, 2016
Khan vs Khan
The death of Mongke Khan in 1259 precipitated not one but two civil wars that would change the Mongol empire for ever.
Feb 1, 2016
Zenith and Defeat
In the 1250's Kublai Khan built his military reputation in China. Meanwhile in the West of the Empire the Mongols suffered their first major defeat, against the Mamluks.
Jan 23, 2016
Blood and Ink
In 1258 the Mongols captured Baghdad an event that left the River Tigris flowing red with blood and black with ink.
Jan 8, 2016
The Mongol Queens
Between 1241 and 1251 much of the power in the Mongol empire rested in the hands of three powerful queens,
Dec 21, 2015
Karakorum
During the last years of his reign Ogedei Khan ordered the building of the Mongol's first capital, Karakorum
Dec 14, 2015
The Invasion of Europe
The Mongol invasion of Europe takes their troops to the walls of Vienna.
Dec 7, 2015
Episode 9 - Russia in Flames
The Mongols invade and conquer Russia establishing the Tartar Yoke.
Nov 27, 2015
Episode 8 - Ogodei
This week we look of the first few years of Ogodei Khan's rule, including the conquest of Northern China
Nov 21, 2015
Episode 7 - Goodbye to Genghis
We chronicle the last years of Genghis Khan's life and look at his legacy
Nov 12, 2015
Episode 6 - The Great Raid
We look at the greatest cavalry raid in history and then examine how the Mongols ran their empire
Nov 5, 2015
Episode 5 - The Conqueror of Persia
We follow the Mongol armies as they conquer and devastate the Persian empire.
Oct 31, 2015
Episode 4 - The Khan's Armies
We look at how the Mongol armies managed to dominate the battlefield for so long
Oct 22, 2015
Episode 3 - The Chinese Invasion
In 1206 Genghis Khan started on the path to world conqueror by invading China.
Oct 15, 2015
Episode 2 - Becoming Genghis Khan
We follow Genghis Khan from young nomad chieftain to ruler of all the steppe tribes
Oct 3, 2015
Episode 1 - The Young Khan
We look at the early life of Genghis Khan and introduce the Mongols