Mediaeval and modern history . e subjected for centuries tothe degrading domination of a race alien in blood, in social insti-tutions, in moral ideals, and in religious belief. Indeed, some ofthe European lands thus inundated have remained submergedbeneath Asiatic barbarism up to the present day. This comparatively late invasion of Europe by Asiatic nomads isnoteworthy especially for the reason that it was the most successful 1 The Mongols and Turks belong to that great family of predominantly nomadicor pastoral tribes and nations variously designated as the Scythic, the Turanian,or the Ural-A
Mediaeval and modern history . e subjected for centuries tothe degrading domination of a race alien in blood, in social insti-tutions, in moral ideals, and in religious belief. Indeed, some ofthe European lands thus inundated have remained submergedbeneath Asiatic barbarism up to the present day. This comparatively late invasion of Europe by Asiatic nomads isnoteworthy especially for the reason that it was the most successful 1 The Mongols and Turks belong to that great family of predominantly nomadicor pastoral tribes and nations variously designated as the Scythic, the Turanian,or the Ural-Altaic, and having the steppes of Central and Northern Asia as theirchief original seat. 159 l6o THE MONGOLS AND THE OTTOMAN TURKS of all the attacks of Asia upon Europe during historic times, andthe last conquest of European territory by an Asiatic race. 174. The Conquests of the Mongols. — It was about the timeof the opening of the Crusades when the Mongols, cruel anduntamed nomads bred on the steppes of Central and Eastern. Fig. 27. — Hut-Wagon of the Medieval Tartars. (From YulesBook of Ser Marco Polo) The wandering Scyths who dwellIn latticed huts high-poised on easy wheels. JEsCllSl^JS, Prom. Vinct., -jog-io; quoted by Yule Asia, that nursery of conquering races, began to set up a newdominion among the various tribes of Mongolia. Their first greatchieftain was Jenghiz Khan (1206-1227), the most terriblescourge that ever afflicted the human race. At the head of innu-merable hordes composed largely of Turkish tribes, callous andpitiless in their slaughterings as though their victims belonged toanother species than themselves, Jenghiz traversed with swordand torch a great part of Asia. He conquered all the northernpart of China, and then turning westward overran Turkestan andPersia. Cities disappeared as he advanced; populous plainswere transformed into silent deserts. Before death overtook himhe had extended his authority to the Dnieper in Russia and tothe valley of the
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