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Bloody Facts About The Golden Horde

Most people know about Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire he created, but as with other conquerors like Atilla the Hun or Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan’s empire didn’t die with him. One aspect of the Mongol Empire which had a particularly lasting impression on history was the Golden Horde, a massive military and political entity which dominated Eurasia for centuries. Read on for facts about the Golden Horde—with a name as awesome as that, need I say more?

As Good as Gold

There’s no sure evidence as to how the Golden Horde got its name. The most prevalent theory is that it was named after the gold-colored tents that the Mongols used. Another theory is that it was a reference to the immense wealth that they gained. Whoever it was, kudos on your naming abilities.

Sorry, I Don’t Speak Mongolian

A third theory about the name states that the words “golden” and “horde” are mistranslations of the Mongolian words for “central camp.” That it would be mistranslated into such an amazing name in English seems a tad coincidental though (not to mention extremely disappointing), so we’re sticking with the tent explanation.

Land Taxes Get Us Every Time

In 1310, the Golden Horde controlled 2.3 million square miles of territory. That’s larger than Alexander the Great’s empire.

Find it on the Map

This empire was mostly centered around Eastern Europe, stretching from the Urals to the Danube, the Black Sea, and into Siberia.

 Hindsight is 20/20

Despite the awesome name, the Golden Horde wasn’t known as the Golden Horde in historical records until the 16th century. I can only assume they were known as something equally cool like “The Shining Legion of Death and Doom.”

Two More Colors and You’d Have a Power Rangers Team!

Historians call the divisions of troops on the Golden Horde’s flanks the White Horde and the Blue Horde, but sources conflict as to whether the left flank was White and the right was Blue, or vice versa (does it really matter?). Just like with the term “Golden” however, there’s no evidence that the Mongols themselves called their units by color.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking