Home Region:  Mongolia (Central and Northern Eurasia)

Mongol Empire

1206 CE 1270 CE
D G SC WF EQ 2020  mn_mongol_emp / MnMngKh
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
1000 CE 1206 CE Early Mongols (mn_mongol_early)    [elite replacement]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
1271 CE 1368 CE Great Yuan (cn_yuan_dyn)    [continuity]
1227 CE 1402 CE Chagatai Khanate (uz_chagatai_khanate)    [secession]
1240 CE 1440 CE Golden Horde (ru_golden_horde)    [secession]
1256 CE 1339 CE Ilkhanate (ir_il_khanate)    [secession]

Displayed: 1251 CE

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  General Description   The Mongols began as one of a group of nomadic tribes living on the Central Asian Steppe. Temujin or Temuchin (later called Chinggis Khan) became Khan (king), united the different Mongol families and incorporated other tribes such as the Tatars into the ’Mongols’. He was acknowledged as the leader of all the Central Asian tribes in 1206 CE. With this force he moved out of the Steppe in search of new territory. First, the Mongols attacked northern China between 1211 and 1215 CE. In 1218 they moved west into Iran, attacking the main cities of the region. They attacked southern Russia in 1240 and the German lands in 1241. The empire did not expand any further into Europe, but turned its attention back to China and the Middle East. Khubilai Khan moved into southern China; Hulegu captured Baghdad and destroyed the Abbasid caliphate. This represented the height of the Empire in terms of territory and achievement. Indeed, so vast was this empire that the Mongols split it into four regions under four Khans: the Golden Horde in Russia, the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia, the Great Yuan in China and the Ilkhanate in Iran and Iraq, c. 1300. Over time this became independent dynasties and states. [1] The Mongols were able to mobilise large numbers of troops for their armies. All adult males under 60 were eligible for mass mobilization. All were required to provide their own horses and equipment. This meant that even though Mongol soldiers may not have been the best troops in terms of ability or equipment, they had advantages of size and discipline over their opponents. This was strengthened by Chinggis Khan reforms which introduced a decimal system of organising the army - diving up troops up into units from ten to 10, 000. [2]

[1]: Hugh Kennedy,’Mongols or Moghuls’ in The Oxford Companion to Military History eds. Richard Holmes, Charles Singleton, and Dr Spencer Jones (Oxford University Press, 2001).

[2]: Findley, Carter V., The Turks in World History (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005),p.83.

General Variables
Identity and Location
Temporal Bounds
Political and Cultural Relations
Language
Religion
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Hierarchical Complexity
Professions
Bureaucracy Characteristics
Law
Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Transport Infrastructure
Special-purpose Sites
Information / Writing System
Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Information / Money
Information / Postal System
Information / Measurement System
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Military use of Metals
Projectiles
Handheld weapons
Animals used in warfare
Armor
Naval technology
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp) was in:
 (1206 CE 1300 CE)   Orkhon Valley
Home NGA: Orkhon Valley
General Variables
Identity and Location Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 48 T Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Utm Zone 50 S Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Original Name Mongol Empire Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Capital Khanbaliq Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Capital Karakorum Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Alternative Name Mongolian Empire Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Temporal Bounds Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years [1251 CE ➜ 1259 CE] Confident
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Duration [1206 CE ➜ 1270 CE] Confident
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Political and Cultural Relations Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations uz_chagatai_khanate vassalage to mn_mongol_emp Confident 1227 CE 1266 CE
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Suprapolity Relations none Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Suprapolity Relations ir_il_khanate nominal allegiance to mn_mongol_emp Confident 1256 CE  1339 CE
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Supracultural Entity uncoded Undecided 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Succeeding Entity Great Yuan Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity cultural assimilation Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity elite migration Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Preceding Entity
1000 CE 1206 CE
Early Mongols (mn_mongol_early)   [elite replacement]  Confident
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Succeeding Entity
1271 CE 1368 CE
Great Yuan (cn_yuan_dyn)   [continuity]  Confident
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Succeeding Entity
1227 CE 1402 CE
Chagatai Khanate (uz_chagatai_khanate)   [secession]  Confident
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Succeeding Entity
1240 CE 1440 CE
Golden Horde (ru_golden_horde)   [secession]  Confident
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Succeeding Entity
1256 CE 1339 CE
Ilkhanate (ir_il_khanate)   [secession]  Confident
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Degree of Centralization uncoded Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Indo-European Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Linguistic Family Sino-Tibetan Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Linguistic Family Kartvelian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Chinese Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Mongolian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Persian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Latin Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Russian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Georgian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Language Armenian Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Religion Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Religion Genus Mongolian Shamanism Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Alternate Religion Uncoded Undecided 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Polity Territory 25,221,806 km2 Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Polity Population - Undecided 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 5 Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Religious Level 3 Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Military Level 5 Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Administrative Level 5 Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Professions Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Professional Priesthood Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Professional Military Officer Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Examination System Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Law Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Judge Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Absent Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
Specialized Buildings: polity owned Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Irrigation System Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Food Storage Site Present Inferred 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Port Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Canal Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Bridge Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Information / Writing System Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Script Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Nonwritten Record Uncoded Undecided 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Practical Literature Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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History Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Calendar Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Information / Money Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Precious Metal Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Paper Currency Absent Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Indigenous Coin Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Foreign Coin Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Article Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Information / Postal System Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
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Postal Station Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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General Postal Service Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Courier Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Fastest Individual Communication - Undecided 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Information / Measurement System Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Modern Fortification Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Moat Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Fortified Camp Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Earth Rampart Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Ditch Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Complex Fortification Absent Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Long Wall unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Military use of Metals Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Iron Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Copper Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Bronze Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Projectiles Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 1206 CE 1271 CE
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Sling Siege Engine Present Confident 1272 CE 1368 CE
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Sling Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Self Bow Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Javelin Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Handheld Firearm Absent Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Confident 1206 CE 1273 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Present Confident 1274 CE 1368 CE
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Crossbow Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Composite Bow Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Atlatl Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Handheld weapons Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Sword Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Spear Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Polearm Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Dagger Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Battle Axe Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Animals used in warfare Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Elephant Present Inferred 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Donkey Present Inferred 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Dog Absent Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Camel Present Inferred 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Armor Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Shield Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Scaled Armor Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Plate Armor Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Limb Protection Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Leather Cloth Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Laminar Armor Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Helmet Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Chainmail Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Breastplate Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Naval technology Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Present Confident 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Unknown Suspected 1206 CE  1270 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Human Sacrifice Mongol Empire (mn_mongol_emp)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Crisis Cases
View all Crisis Cases
Instability Data
Power Transitions
View all Power Transitions