Passion or Profession: Founder of the Empire

Period: 1162–1227

Named Temujin at birth, Khan had already killed his brother and become a tribal leader by the time he was 20. Soon after, he united most of the Mongol tribes and earned himself the title of Genghis Khan, which means “universal king.” He went on to build a huge empire by waging wars across Eurasia. Although he is known as a ruthless warrior, Mongolians revere him for uniting the tribes and bringing law and order.