-
Jan 1, 1162
Temujin is born
Temujin is born in Deluun Boldog near modern day Mongolia. Little is known of his earliest years. He may have been the descendant of a family of blacksmiths and he may have been named for a Tatar chieftain that his father had recently captured. -
Period: Jan 1, 1162 to Aug 18, 1227
Genghis Khan's Life
-
Jan 1, 1171
Temujin and his mother are abandoned by his father's tribe.
After his father is poisoned, Temujin goes to take over his father's role as chieftain of their tribe. However, the tribe refused to be ruled by a young boy and cast out Temujin, his mother, and his three brothers, forcing them to live in poverty. -
Jan 1, 1172
Temujin kills his half-brother
In an argument during a hunting expedition, Temujin kills his half-brother, Behter, who liked to take whatever young Temujin killed or caught. This is the beginning of his reputation as a great warrior. -
Jan 1, 1177
Temujin escapes from the Tayichi'ud
After being captured and enslaved by the Tayichi'ud, his father's formers allies, Temujin escapes with the help of a guard. Jelme and Bo'orchu, who will become two of his generals, join forces with him as Temujin's reputation grows. -
Jan 1, 1187
Temujin marries a woman from the Onggirat tribe
Hoping to build an alliance with the Onggirat tribe, Temujin marries Borte. She is then kidnapped by the Merkit tribe as revenge against Temujin's father, who stole a Merkit wife. -
Jan 1, 1187
Temujin rescues his wife from the Merkit tribe
Temujin gathers several hundred supporters and rescues Borte from the Merkit tribe, where she was someone else's wife. Temujin rescues her and she gives birth to his first son nine months later. He takes several other wives over the course of his life. -
Jan 1, 1206
Temujin is named Genghis Khan of the Mongolian Empire
Temujin is named Genghis Khan, the ruler of the Turko-Mongol people. He builds an army that becomes one of the strongest in the world. -
Jan 1, 1209
Genghis begins his first foreign war
In his first war outside of Mongolia, Genghis leads his army against the kingdom of Xi Xia in China. Genghis's army, far more organized that that of Xi Xia, wins easily and Xi Xia becomes a vassal of Mongolia. -
Jan 1, 1215
Genghis defeats Zhongdu by starving the residents into submission.
Genghis leads his army into northern China in 1214. When the Jin emperor asks Genghis to withdraw, promising him a princess, slaves, gold, and silver. Genghis agrees but gets angry and fears a counterattack when the Jin court retreats. He returns to Zhongdu in 1215 and starves the city into surrender. -
Jan 1, 1218
Shah Muhammad sends Genghis a head
Even though Genghis seeks peace with Shah Muhammad of the Khwarizm Empire, Muhammad sends him the head of Mongol envoy. Genghis is furious and vows revenge. -
Jan 1, 1219
Genghis storms across Central Asia
Seeking revenge for Muhammad's actions, Genghis's army storms through Central Asia. He attacks and plunders the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara -
Jan 1, 1226
Genghis orders the destruction of Xi Xia
The aging and ill general orders his army to remove any trace of Xi Xia. The troops comply and completely destroy entire towns and villages. Residents are either killed or taken as slaves. -
Mar 24, 1226
Genghis begins his final campaign
As punishment for disobedience, Genghis leads his army to Xi Xia. His army diverts a canal and water threatens to flood the city of Ningxia, forcing the troops to surrender. -
Aug 18, 1227
Khan dies, possibly due to prior injuries
Already in failing health, Khan dies in a camp during a campaign against Xi Xia, a kingdom of China. He may have died due to injuries he received after he fell off of a horse the previous year.
