Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan (born Temüjin) was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history. Born around 1162 near the border between modern Mongolia and Siberia, his early life was marked by extreme hardship. In 1206, he was proclaimed "Genghis Khan," meaning "Universal Ruler." He launched massive military campaigns across Asia and Europe, conquering the Western Xia, the Jin dynasty, and the Khwarazmian Empire. Beyond his conquests, he modernized Mongolian society by creating a written script, establishing a legal code (the Yassa), and promoting meritocracy and religious tolerance. He died in 1227.