The History of the Mongols: From the Birth of Temujin to the Fall of the Empire
Step into the world of one of history’s most formidable civilizations, the Mongol Empire. From the humble beginnings of Temujin, the boy who would become Genghis Khan, to the vast empire that spanned continents, this series explores the triumphs, strategies, and legacies of the Mongols. Join us as we uncover the battles, politics, and cultural transformations that shaped the largest contiguous empire in history.
Each episode brings you deep into the battles, betrayals, and ambitions that shaped the largest contiguous empire the world has ever known.
🎧 Perfect for fans of historical epics, immersive storytelling, and the real story behind Genghis Khan and his descendants.
New episodes released weekly. Subscribe and follow the horde.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we follow Hülegü Khan’s devastating 1256 campaign to destroy the Nizari Ismaili state, known in the West as the “Order of Assassins.” From the fortress of Alamut to the bloody siege of Maymundiz, this was one of the most calculated and logistically complex operations in Mongol history. We explo...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In the final part of our three-episode series on the Mongol invasions of Japan, we go beyond the legendary typhoon of 1281 to uncover the long-term consequences for both Japan and the Yuan Empire. While Kublai Khan’s dream of conquering Japan faded, the aftermath reshaped Japanese politics, shattered the Kamakura shogunate, and fed the rise of...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In part 2 of our three-part series on the Mongol invasions of Japan, we follow the remarkable story of Takezaki Suenaga, a minor samurai from Kyushu whose firsthand account of both the 1274 and 1281 invasions offers a rare window into the samurai experience. Through illustrated scrolls he commissioned himself, Suenaga’s tale reveals a world of br...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In the first of our three-part series on the Mongol invasions of Japan, we explore how Kublai Khan’s empire launched its opening assault on Japan in 1274. The campaign began with the brutal conquest of Tsushima Island, a key stepping stone between Korea and Japan. From there, the Mongol-Korean fleet advanced to Iki Island and finally Hakata Bay on K...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast During the height of Mongol power, few dared to resist, but the kingdom of Koryo (Korea) held out for nearly four decades. From guerrilla warfare and mountain fortresses to political intrigue and royal hostages, the long and brutal Mongol-Korean War reshaped the peninsula forever. In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we dive into one of th...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we explore the reign of Möngke Khan, the fourth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Under his leadership, the empire reached unprecedented heights of centralization, administrative reform, and military power. Yet, behind the surface of unity, the seeds of future division were already being sown. We’ll unco...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast After the Mongols devastated Eastern Europe in the 1240s, terrified kings, popes, and priests scrambled to understand this new and unstoppable enemy. Their solution? Send brave envoys deep into the Mongol world. In this episode of the History of the Mongols, we follow the extraordinary journeys of John of Plano Carpini, Simon of St. Quentin, and Wi...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast This episode explores the downfall of Guyuk, the collapse of Ögedei’s lineage, and how Mongke Khan's unexpected rise marked the beginning of the Toluid Revolution, a turning point that would shape the Mongol Empire’s future and spark a new era of conquest… and division. Support the series by subscribing and let me know where you're listening from in t...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we explore the final years of Ögedei Khan and the dramatic fallout after his death in 1241. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of cracks within the empire that once seemed unstoppable. Support the series by subscribing and let me know where you're listening from in the comments!...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries: why did the unstoppable Mongol invasion of Europe suddenly end in 1242? After the brutal victories at Mohi and Legnica, with Hungary in ruins and Europe defenseless, Batu and Subutai seemed poised to conquer the continent. But instead, they withdrew. We explor...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, Batu and Subutai bring the full weight of the Mongol Empire westward. After crushing the Rus’ and razing Kiev, they unleash a coordinated assault on Poland and Hungary. The result: two devastating battles, Legnica and Mohi that left Central Europe shattered and the West on the brink of collapse. You’ll learn about...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, the campaign shifts south. After burning northern Rus’ to the ground, Batu and Subutai pause, then strike again. The Mongol war machine sweeps through Crimea, scatters the Cuman-Qipchaqs, subdues the Caucasus, and unleashes hell on the proud city of Kiev. You’ll learn about: • The siege of Magas, one of the to...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we cover the dramatic opening phase of the Great Western Invasion, an unstoppable campaign led by Batu Khan, Subutai, and the royal princes of Mongolia. As over 100,000 Mongol horsemen cross the steppe in 1236, the Volga Bulghars, Cumans, and Rus’ stand in their way. It’s the beginning of the Mongol conquest of E...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In this episode of The History of the Mongols, we follow the explosive westward expansion of the Mongol Empire after the fall of the Jin. As Ögedei Khan consolidates power, his general Chormaqun leads a devastating campaign across Iran, the Caucasus, and Anatolia, crushing the last Khwarezmian ruler, ravaging Georgia, and shattering the Seljuqs at Köse Dağ. Y...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast Northern China is on its last legs. In 1231-1234 Ögedei Khan unleashes Tolui, Subutai, and the full might of the Mongol Empire against the once mighty Jurchen Jin Empire. Watch how decisive victories at Sanfeng Mountain, a year-long siege of Kaifeng, and the tragic loss of Emperor Aizong bring a 100-year dynasty crashing down, while setting the stage for the doo...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast After the death of Genghis Khan, the empire could have fractured, but it didn’t. In this episode of the History of the Mongols, we follow the rise of Ögedei Khan, the son chosen by Genghis himself to rule the largest land empire in history. From his unexpected coronation and major military campaigns to the founding of Karakorum and the creation of a functioning impe...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In episode 8 of The History of the Mongols, we follow the final, dramatic chapter of Genghis Khan’s life. After defeating the Khwarezmian Empire, the Great Khan returned east, only to face betrayal by the Tangut. Wounded in battle, growing older, and facing rising tensions over succession, Genghis launched one last brutal campaign. We explore the political chessboard o...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In episode 7 of The History of the Mongols, Genghis Khan isn't leading a cavalry charge or conquering cities, he’s doing something no one expected. He’s asking a Taoist monk how to live forever. It’s 1219, and after years of relentless warfare, Genghis sends a letter to a famous Taoist sage named Qiu Chuji. What follows is one of the most fascinating journeys in medieval ...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In episode 6 of The History of the Mongols, we follow the legendary raid of Mongol generals Jebe and Subutai, a campaign so daring it stretched from Uzbekistan to Ukraine, bringing chaos to empires and culminating in the Battle of the Kalka River (1223).From the pursuit of Shah Muhammad to the ambush of Rus’ and Cuman forces, this journey covers mountain passes, brutal siege...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In episode 5 of The History of the Mongols, we follow Genghis Khan as he launches one of the most devastating invasions in world history, the annihilation of the Khwarezmian Empire. After a brutal diplomatic breakdown, the Mongol war machine storms into Central Asia, laying siege to powerful cities like Otrar, Bukhara, and Samarkand. We’ll explore the ruthless tactics, the psych...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast In Episode 4 of The History of the Mongols, Genghis Khan returns home from his victorious campaign against the Jin Dynasty, only to find rebellion festering on the empire’s northern frontier. As unrest erupts among the forest tribes near Lake Baikal, Genghis must put down insurrection, avenge the death of his trusted friend, and reassert Mongol dominance across Siberia. But the ...
Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉 HistoryStrong 🎧 Listen to the full playlist here:👉 History of the Mongols | Podcast Episode 4: 👉 Ep.04 In episode 3 of The History of the Mongols, we follow Genghis Khan as he sets his sights on the powerful Jin Dynasty of northern China. After consolidating his power among the Mongol tribes and securing his borders, the Great Khan launches a full-scale invasion that will reshape East Asia. Witness how Genghis Khan’s disciplined armies crush Jin forces at the ...
Episode 2 explores how Genghis Khan solidified the nascent Mongol Empire by implementing transformative strategies like the decimal military system and the Great Yassa legal code, alongside establishing an administrative structure and a loyal guard. It details his efforts to neutralize internal and external threats, setting the stage for expansion. The episode then recounts the first major Mongol campaign against the Tangut Kingdom, highlighting Genghis Khan's tactical genius in siege warfare and the kingdom's eventual submission. Finally, it culminates in Genghis Khan's symbolic declaration of war against the powerful Jin Dynasty.
This episode delves into the origins of Genghis Khan, tracing Temüjin's dramatic birth and challenging youth on the harsh Mongolian steppe. It explores the betrayals and hardships he faced, including his father's poisoning and his family's abandonment. The narrative highlights his strategic mind, the critical alliances he forged, and the innovative military reforms he implemented, which transformed scattered tribes into a unified force. Witness Temüjin's path from a vulnerable boy to the formidable leader who would forge the Mongol Empire.
May 11, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android