Read Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World Summary Online

"The Blood Clot"

Early Life and Birth

• Birth and Setting: The chapter introduces Temujin, who would become Genghis Khan, born in the spring of 1162 near the Onon River, in a remote region near the modern Mongolia-Siberia border. This area, tied to the legendary origin of the Mongols (from the mating of Blue-Gray Wolf and Beautiful Red Doe), was closed to outsiders after his death, leaving early descriptions scarce.
• Parents and Abduction: Temujin was born on an isolated hillock to Hoelun, a kidnapped bride taken from her first husband, Chiledu of the Merkid tribe, by Yesugei, Temujin’s father. According to The Secret History, Hoelun’s abduction occurred during her journey with Chiledu back to Merkid lands. Yesugei’s hunting party ambushed them; Chiledu fled, but Hoelun stayed with her captors, never seeing her first love again—a moment of intense emotion.
• Omen at Birth: Temujin emerged clutching a large, black blood clot in his right hand, an omen that puzzled his inexperienced mother.

Naming and Early Struggles

• Naming: Shortly after Temujin’s birth, Yesugei returned from a campaign against the Tatars, where he killed a warrior named Temujin Uge. He named his son Temujin, possibly symbolizing the Mongol-Tatar conflict.
• Childhood Incidents: Details of Temujin’s early years are sparse, suggesting he was initially undervalued. Once, Yesugei accidentally left him behind, and Targutai, leader of the Tayichiud clan, took him in. At age nine, Yesugei took Temujin to Hoelun’s tribe to find a wife, betrothing him to Borte and leaving him for bride-service.

Family Tragedy and Abandonment

• Yesugei’s Death: On his way home, Yesugei was poisoned by Tatars and died shortly after reuniting with his family.
• Abandonment: After Yesugei’s death, the Tayichiud clan, long dominant over Yesugei’s Borijin clan, abandoned Hoelun and her seven young children in the harsh Onon River environment, deeming them unsupportable.
• Survival: Hoelun foraged tirelessly to feed her family, while Temujin hunted small animals. Clothed in animal skins, they lived as social outcasts, teetering on starvation. These traumatic experiences forged Temujin’s determination to defy the steppe’s caste system and prioritize trusted alliances over kinship.

Key Relationships and Conflicts

• Jamuka: Temujin formed a significant bond with Jamuka, a slightly older boy from a distantly related clan. They swore eternal brotherhood twice in childhood, a relationship that would later prove both an asset and a challenge.
• Sibling Rivalry: At home, Temujin clashed with his older half-brother Begter, who asserted authority as the eldest male after Yesugei’s death. Tensions escalated over trivial disputes—a lark and a fish—especially when Hoelun sided with Begter. Fearing Begter might become her partner and family head, Temujin and his full brother Khasar killed him. This act, detailed in The Secret History despite Mongol taboos against discussing blood or death, enraged Hoelun, who berated her sons and mourned Temujin’s lost companionship.

Consequences and Resilience

• Punishment and Escape: The killing made Temujin a criminal. The Tayichiud captured and enslaved him in a cangue, but his resilience shone through as he escaped with help from a sympathetic family.
• Growing Support: Temujin’s household expanded to include loyal companions like Boorchu and Jelme, building a support base beyond his immediate family.

Setting the Stage

• Tribal Warfare: Despite Temujin’s desire for peace, the constant warfare of the steppes ensured no group could remain isolated. These early trials and relationships laid the foundation for his eventual rise to power.