The Mongols and their State in the Twelfth to the Thirteenth Century

Situated on the northern passes between the Far East and western Asia, the Mongol empire was at the crossroads of global communication, linked by trading routes to both China and the Mediterranean.  The Mongol state developed in the late twelfth century and became one of the greatest powers in Central Asia after the extensive military conquests of Chinggis Khan (1155–1227).  One important consequence of the unification of political power in northern Asia was the protection of the Silk Routes and the facilitation of trade across the region.