Genghis Khan was born in 1162 and named Temujin after the name of a Tartar chief whom his father, Yesugei, had slain recently.    When Temujin was about nine, his father took him to another tribe to choose a bride, whose named was Borte and one year older than him.    After his father was murdered by poison, Temujin left his father-in-law's tribe to return to his own, the Borjigin.   However, most of his tribe's members deserted his family because they thought that he was too young and unfit to rule.    Temujin and his family spent very difficult years just to survive on their own.    Temujin was even captured by an enemy tribe and would certainly meet death if he was not helped by Munglik, a Borjigin who still remembered his tribe's glorious days under Yesugei.    With the help of Munglik and his sons, Temujin escaped and returned to his family.    There, he began to rebuild his tribe by befriending and recruiting bold and trusted followers such as Borchu, Jelme, Chilaun, and Chimbe.    He spent his adolescent years as a mercenary for stronger tribes.    A talented leader, Temujin scored victories after victories.    As he got stronger, he recruited more followers, and his tribe's membership greatly increased. In 1184, Temujin established himself as head of his own tribe (without title).    He then returned to his father-in-law's tribe to bring back Borte, his wife.    However, the Merkit, an unfriendly tribe, attacked his camp and captured Borte.    With the help of his brother by oath Jamuga and Toghril, his father's brother-by-oath and Khan of the Kereit, Temujin successfully defeated the Merkit and brought back Borte.    However, the abduction of Borte had a sequel.    After the reunion with Temujin, her first son was born on a date that left in doubt the paternity of this eldest son, who was named Joti.    Because of this, Joti's descendants, although they formed the oldest branch of the Genghisids, were never considered for the succession of the empire.

In 1195, Temujin was nominated Khan, which means ruler in Mongolian, of his tribe, the Borjigin. He then set out to conquer all other Mongol tribes.    In 1206, after the conquest of Mongolia, Temujin called a quriltai, an assembly of the tribal chiefs and the main military commanders, and declared himself Genghis Khan, ruler of 'all tribes who live in felt tents'.    After the unification of Mongolia, Genghis Khan's hordes invaded various regions, from northern China to Russia.    At his death in 1227, the Mongol Empire embraced approximately half of the then known world.     To people of the thirteen century, Genghis Khan was a blood-thirsty, evil-bringer, leader of the hordes from hell.  During his reign, from 1206 to 1227, his hordes killed approximately 25 millions of people (a very large number in the thirteen century), destroyed hundreds of cities.  However, to the Mongols, he was viewed as a hero and a beloved father.  His main contributions were uniting a tribal and chaotic Mongolia and grouping his army into groups of 10 so that he could achieve unity in command.  For example, he grouped his army like this 10, 100, 1000, 10000, 100000, where each was a separate unit and commanded by one general.

Genghis Khan's bodest and most trusted generals:

Borchu was Genghis Khan's companion since childhood.    He helped Genghis Khan, still Temujin at that time, to bring back the stolen horses.    Borchu was destined to be one of the future world conqueror's most intimate and valued helpers.    He was named a supreme counsellor by Genghis Khan after he became Khan in 1195.

Jebe was originally an archer from an enemy tribe.    During a battle, he shot and killed Genghis Khan's horse.    Although he could have been put to death, however, Genghis Khan recognized his talents and recruited him.    A very talented military commander, Jebe conquered the Khwarazm Empire and subdued the Russian Principalities.

Similar to Borchu, Jelme was a friend since childhood.    He saved Genghis Khan's family on several occasions.    He was also named a supreme counsellor by Genghis Khan in 1195.

Muqali joined Genghis Khan's army very early.    He was very talented both in war and peace.    After the conquest of the Jin Empire (North China), he was named a lord and governor of that region.

Like Jebe, Subutai was supremely talented in war.    Together with Jebe, he subdued the Russian Principalities.    After Genghis Khan's death, he led the renewed Mongol invasion into Europe.

Genghis Khan's sons by his principal wife, :

Joti was Genghis Khan's eldest son.    He was very talented in war and often accompanied his father in his campaigns.    However, he was not named successor to the throne due to his birth's uncertainty.    He died in 1227.

Jagatai was the second son who continuously quarrelled with Joti over his birth.    As a result, Genghis Khan decided to name the third son, Ugudei, as the heir-appearant.

Ugudei was the third son who succeeded Genghis Khan as ruler of the Mongol Empire. After becoming Khan in 1229, he continued his father's campaigns by invading China, Russia and Europe.

Tului was the youngest son whose talents in war were recognized by his father.    However, his drinking habit was even worse than that of Ugudei's, and Genghis Khan considered him too hot-headed to rule.