Genghis Khan, born Temüjin in 1162, was the founder and first Great Khan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. His name is often spelled in various ways due to transliteration from Mongolian to other languages, but "Genghis Khan" is the most commonly used form in English.
Genghis Khan was born into the Borjigin tribe near the Onon River in what is now Mongolia. His father, Yesugei, was a tribal chief, but died when Temüjin was only nine years old. This left him and his family in a precarious position, leading to a tumultuous youth where he was captured, enslaved, and eventually escaped to rally his followers.
Through a combination of diplomacy, warfare, and strategic marriages, Temüjin managed to unite many of the nomadic tribes of the region. In 1206, at a Kurultai, a Mongol assembly of tribes, he was given the title "Genghis Khan," meaning "Universal Ruler," a name that signified his new role as leader of all Mongol tribes.
Genghis Khan was not only a conqueror but also a capable administrator. He established the Yassa, a comprehensive legal code, and reorganized his military into a decimal system which was highly efficient for managing large armies. His empire facilitated trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia, leading to the Pax Mongolica.
Genghis Khan died in 1227 during a campaign against the Western Xia in northwestern China. The exact cause of his death remains uncertain, but it's often attributed to illness or injuries sustained in battle. His tomb's location remains unknown, adhering to the Mongol tradition of not revealing burial sites.
His legacy is complex; he is both vilified for his brutal tactics and celebrated for his unification of the Mongol tribes and the promotion of cultural exchange. In Mongolia, he is revered as a national hero. His descendants, particularly his grandsons Kublai Khan and Hulegu Khan, further expanded and consolidated the empire.