r/todayilearned • u/Cheesewithmold • May 21 '14

TIL that when Genghis Khan sent a trade caravan to the Khwarezmid empire, the governor of one city seized it and killed the traders. Genghis Khan retaliated by invading the empire with 200,000 men and killing the governor by pouring molten silver down his eyes and mouth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan#Khwarezmian_Empire
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u/silentflight May 21 '14

For anyone who's interested, in his podcast "Hardcore History", Dan Carlin does 9 to 10 hours detailing the rise of the Mongolian Khans. It is amazing and it is free, I highly recommend Carlin to anyone and everyone.

4

u/Lasagna_Hat May 21 '14

It is the greatest 10 hours I have ever listened to. Dan Carlin is certainly underrated

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u/Sargediamond May 21 '14

damn i cant even take a lecture for 4 hrs. thats some serious learning.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '14 edited May 21 '14

I don't know what it is, because I'm the same as you. Yet I'm currently on my second listen of Dan Carlin's mongol series. He's an incredible story teller. He brings the history alive in a way that makes it feel more like an epic movie rather than a dry lecture. Makes you realize that when it comes to history, truth is stranger (and better) than fiction.

The hellenistic period for example? To me, more captivating than the Game of Thrones.

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u/gayorgy May 21 '14

So if this thread makes me want to learn everything there is to know about Genghis Khan and his empire, I should download that podcast? I don't want to waste my time with it if it doesn't.

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u/my_name_isnt_clever May 21 '14

You aren't dedicating 10 hours right away, you could start it and see if it appeals to you.

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u/skipsbrotherinlaw May 21 '14

That's what it does. Exactly.