Did Chinggis really conquer more than Alexander?

Often it is said that Chinggis Khan conquered twice as much land as Alexander. But is that really true? To me it seems as if they actually use to compare the empire of Alexander with the Mongol empire at it's peak ca 1260 (33 years of perpetual conquest after Chinggis' death). Many books claim that Chinggis conquered China and Persia - but it's not true. Sure most of Chin and the entire Xixia teritorries were conquered, as were Transoxiania and Khwarizm. But still - parts of Chin remained autonomous, Khurassan and Iraq Ajemi (today's Iran and Afghanistan) in Central Asia were completely devastated but yet not officially incorporated into mongol realm until �g�tai Kha'an. Also the extent of the northern border into Siberia is a matter of debate - I'm not even sure whether the loose annexion of vast but sparsely populated forrest-areas could be considered to be real conquests? Also, the expansion in the western steppes is also debated. We don't know how much land Jochi conqured in his father's name, some maps actually show that Chinggis' conquests stretched as far as the Kalka river and to the Sea of Azov (including the Kaukasus) - which is wrong since Djebe and S�betai didn't really conquer those areas. As far as I know - the mongols exerted no authority over any steppe people west of the Ural until the great invasion 1236, despite the victories of Djebe and S�bedai during their raid 1221-24. The qanqalis in present day Kazakhstan were subdued by Jochi, but the western kipchaqs were not conquered until 1236-37 - several years after Chinggis' death.

Taken this into account - did Chinggis really conquer more than Alexander?

 

I think the Empire at Chinghis's death was indeed 2.5 time bigger than Alexander's Empire, at something like 5.2 million sq miles, vs Alexander's 2.1 million sq miles. (The Mongol khanates combined as large as Chinggis' Empire).  Chinggis did lead most of the expeditions. He lead all of the campaigns against the Jin untill 1215 (I think, not sure), and took part in 1/3 of the western campaign, including 1/2 of the effectively conquered areas. He lead all the campaigns in Mongolia, and against the Uighurs.

I think Chinggis did conquer at least 1.5 times more land area than Alexander, but it is true that he never led a single campaign that was as long as Alex's. Many of his campaigns were multiple pronged attacks, led by his other commanders. Even
Tamerlane won victories in more land than Alexander did.


Edited by Imperator Invictus

Make your own decision as to what Genghis Khan and Alexander conquered.

Genghis Khan's Empire at its peak

Alexander the Great's Empire at its peak

Take into the account that Genghis Khan probably didn't conquer all that land within that number of years that Alexander conquered,and so forth like the continuation of his line with his sons,as Alexander's son was killed before he was of age.Also take into consideration the features of the map,and the area they both encompass.It might be distorted,but the areas you can see clearer as to where theya re,like the Arabian Pensinsula is on both maps,that can be a way of figuring out which is bigger.

 

Edited by Vamun Tianshu

Almsot forgot about my maps!

This is his empire at his death. You can mentall draw Alex's empire there to compare.


Edited by Imperator Invictus

anyway if the Genghis khan's empire at his death not twice the Alexander's empire

it still bigger , it wont be smaller than alexander's empire

 

If chinghis khan just conquered Kazakhstan then its empire would be larger than Alexander's empire, however Kazakhstan is one of ten large counties of the world but the whole population of this country is less than Tehran!

Originally posted by Mangudai (except that more of Kazakhstan - the ulus of Jochi - probably should be incorporated).

the Qangli were not conquered, however they were defeated by the returning expeditionary force of S�be'edai and submitted thereafter. so the map of Imp Inv shows the Mongol empire at the beginning of �g�dais reign, but mine shows the extend of Chingiz empire at his death = the "real" conquests.

I think this thread goes to show that size really does matter.

Originally posted by Genghis I think this thread goes to show that size really does matter.

 

You could conquer the sahara and end up with a large empire of worthless land.

Or to Mansa Musa.