1241
Weatherford says news of Ögedei Khan's death travelled from Mongolia to Hungary in six weeks.
“at the time of the death of Ögedei Khan, the word went from Mongolia to Hungary in, uh, six weeks.”
Topic
Mongol Empire
6 facts from 1 episode, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
14th century
Weatherford argues that the Mongol communication network helped spread the plague from southern China across the world and contributed to the empire's collapse.
“then it could also take the plague out of southern China into all parts of the world, and I do think that's what happened.”
1368
Weatherford says the Mongols were overthrown in China in 1368 and went back to Mongolia.
“bit by bit, 1368, the Mongols had become so weak within China that they were overthrown, but they weren't absorbed into China.”
Undated
Weatherford says Genghis Khan's army never exceeded about 100,000 to 110,000 men.
“Genghis Khan's army was extremely good in warfare, but small. He never got probably above 100,000, at the most 110,000.”
Undated
Weatherford says each Mongol soldier was organized with five horses and carried a bow and many arrows.
“The army was they were organized with five horses each man. They had their bow and they had a lot of arrows”
Undated
Weatherford says merchants under Mongol rule were taxed once rather than at every town they passed.
“For example, they get to be taxed one time, whatever the national tax is, that's it. They're not taxed every time they stop in some new town.”
Episodes