Home » History » Temujin – What Pegman Saw

Temujin – What Pegman Saw

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Good Sunday night, my peeps.  Between cleaning house, attending 50th birthday parties, opening my house to potential buyers, I have started and re-started this Pegman Post.  I’d leave a few lines, come back…  Nope, have no idea where I was going with this.  Start over, leave again…  This is what you get.  A quickie history lesson!  Thanks, always, to Karen and Josh for hosting this lovely prompt!

This week Pegman goes to the Great Wall of China. Feel free to choose from photospheres you find anywhere along it’s length. This link will get you started, or you can venture off on your own. No need to stay with your tour group on Pegman tours 😉

Your mission is to write up to 150 words inspired by your tour of the location. You’re welcome to write fiction, essay, poetry, or anything you choose. Once your 150 words is polished, you can share it with other Pegman contributors at the Linkup below. Reading and commenting on others’ work is part of the fun!

Temujin

Born to poverty, Temujin survived kidnappings, abandonment by his tribe, murder. and yet became the fiercest of warriors and a natural-born leader.

He put strong allies in positions of power instead of family, ignoring tradition. He granted religious freedom, abolished torture, encouraged trade, created an international postal system, abolished inherited aristocratic titles, forbade the selling and kidnapping of women yet caused terror wherever he went.

Temujin grew his army – up to one million soldiers – by killing the leaders of the enemy tribes and incorporating the remaining members. He used those not expert enough with horse and bow as human shields. The Mongolian empire expanded to over 11 million square miles, including parts of China, breaching the Great Wall as none other had ever succeeded in doing, not once but many times.

And yet, Genghis Khan, proclaimed Universal Leader, was no Superman. Thrown from his horse, he died of internal injuries.

 

 

56 thoughts on “Temujin – What Pegman Saw”

  2. Q,

    I truly never know which way you are heading with one of these Pegmans. The mystery of what to expect is fantastic, actually.

    As is this piece. History has always been a favorite of mine, so this is ma jam . . indeed. And to think, that the mighty Khan was taken down THAT way! I did not know that. So fragile is the head that wins the crown. And in his case literally.

    I really dig this Q!

    Peace and great walls (in China)

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dear Dale,

    It’s hard to say if one classify Khan as a good man or a bad man. What a history…and well told in 150 words. Note that has nothing to do with your story: the worst movie casting in history…John Wayne as Genghis Kahn. Avoid this movie at all costs. I wish someone had warned us. 😉
    How humbling that Genghis Kahn died from falling off his horse…Superman indeed. But then…
    Good one…not to mention I applaud you for stepping outside the box. Good practice.

    Shalom, hugs and chicken soup,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Rochelle,

      Exactly how I felt. And thank you. Took me three tries to sorta kinda get it. He accomplished so much but at such a high cost.
      I cannot even imagine John Wayne as Genghis Khan. Seriously. Now that you’ve said this, I almost have to watch it 😉
      How humbling indeed. He didn’t die immediately but his legacy did go on for years and years. The last of his line actually died, get this… in 1920!!!
      I thank you. Coming from you it is high praise indeed.

      Lotsa love and sweet thank yous… guess I’ll make myself some…

      Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  5. This is marvelously written. I love the contrast of the powerful man eventually humbled and the ambiguity of his morality. All that in 150 words!

    I heard somewhere that one in 200 men are a direct descendant of Genghis Khan, so in some ways, he’s still around.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Wow! I hadn’t realised the extent to which Genghis Khan had introduced more liberal laws, especially those protecting women. Thanks for enlightening me! And very well written, to squeeze such a big biography into 150 words!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Penny,
      Thank you, I swear I was going nuts trying to fit most of it in and hoping it didn’t come off too “school history paper” or boring. He did a LOT of good, besides slaughtering who knows how many people in his quest for taking over the world…
      Thanks so much for your comment,
      Have a fabulous day!
      Dale

      Like

  8. I’m glad you were interrupted enough that you fell back on history! I love this piece. Khan was some sort of fellow, yes? I believe I’ve read that most of us can trace our genes back to him. Not only was he brave, and smart, he was “busy.” 😉 I really REALLY enjoyed this. Feel better soon. When you finish Rochelle’s chicken soup, let me know. I’ll bring you some more.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m just glad you didn’t read the original I posted… I reworked it this morning 😉

      He was brilliant, to tell the truth. He had supposedly four sons and unknown number of daughters (them being not so important). Apparently his scion died in 1920!

      Thanks. Imma need lots of soup… making my own as we speak…

      Like

    • So do I! I’m thinking it’s the simple accumulation of all my “stuff”! House, MIL, Step-father… Something had to give!

      Like

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