| sethnintendo said: They weren't halted by the Germans, Templars nor Polish. They withdrew from Europe due to in fighting mainly. "As it developed, the Mongols did not remain long in Hungary, either. On December 11, 1241, Ogadei died in Asia. Upon learning of the great khan's death, Subotai reminded the three princes in his army of the law of succession as laid down by Genghis Khan: After the death of the ruler all offspring of the house of Genghis Khan, wherever they might be, must return to Mongolia to take part in the election of the new khakan. Recalling all their forces, the Mongols started back to their Mongolian capital of Karakorum, postponing their invasion of central Europe for another time–a time that would never come." http://www.historynet.com/mongol-invasions-battle-of-liegnitz.htm While even that link seems to draw a few things into question though. A few people commented on some things not being completely accurate in the article. However, there was no major Mongol defeat in Europe that I am aware of. They simply left is what I understand. I can't say that article is completely accurate but it does highlight some of their advance tactics. "Things were not as they seemed to the European knights, however; they had fallen victim to one of the oldest tricks in the Mongols' book–the feigned retreat. The riders of the steppes, unlike the knights, had been taught to retreat as a tactical move, and in so doing, they drew the knights away from their infantry. Once that was accomplished, the Mongols swept to either side of the knights, who had strung out and lost their own measure of order, and showered them with arrows. Other Mongols had lain in ambush, prepared to meet the knights as they fell into the trap. Whenever the Mongols found that the knights' armor afforded effective protection against their arrows, they simply shot their horses. The dismounted knights were then easy prey for the Mongol heavy cavalrymen, who ran them down with lance or saber with little danger to themselves. The Knights Templar made a determined stand, only to be killed to a man." You asked what they destroyed or conquered? How about China, Russia, Persia, etc.. While most of their land might have been "empty plains" they did conquer/destroy plenty of major cities. If you can show me a major battle they lost in their European campaign then I'm all ears (Mongols cutting off ear of each victim pun?). I just don't know of any and usually they even used retreat to their advantage. |
Bold: Yes, yes, that happened. You are correct. It definitely had a part in it, but the Mongols just stopping at the borders of the Holy Roman Empire is no coincidence. They knew they were powerful as well and the Frankish kingdoms beyond also, and the Mongols didn't return afterwards. If that was because they didn't think they could win, or if they didn't feel like is was to be beneficiary to conquer Western Europe too, I don't know. Anyway, they never fought a formidable European army.
Italic: I give you China, as I already said. Russia however, was not yet noteworthy as power is concerned and Persia was over a thousand years past their prime. Sadly, I admit I don't know of any major battle they lost, besides those against me in Medieval Total War, as I also don't think there was any significant loss. I do think they weren't really tested, which is kind of the point.
All in all, I definitely recognize the Mongolian achievement as they did incite great fear across Europe, but overall with 90% (not actually 90, but just so-to-speak) of their conquered land offering very little resistance, I'd say they aren't the world's best military force. Especially when Alexander faced terrible odds as he was massively outnumbered and from a tiny kingdom compared to his adversary, odds which he overcame when he also didn't lose a major battle.
