What are little known facts about ancient history?

 What are little known facts about ancient history?

What happens when you anger one of the most brutal warlords in human history? In 1218 the Mongol empire under Genghis Khan was expanding into China fighting a bloody war with the Chinese Jin Dynasty. Seeing a potential ally Genghis sent a large caravan of Mongol merchants to the powerful Khwarezmian Empire in Persia. However, when they arrive the traders were accused of espionage and had their goods confiscated and were then executed.

When Genghis sent envoys to the Khwarezmians offering a chance to make amends by handing over the Governor responsible for the executions. The Shah of the empire Ala ad-Din Muhammad had one of these envoys killed and the other two shaved and humiliated.

Genghis Khan was so furious he abandoned his war with China and amassed an army of over 100,000 and invaded the Khwarezmian empire in 1219. The Mongol army divided into sub groups and annihilated the Khwarezmians in a rapid campaign of destruction. The Shah was forced to flee the empire and many major cities including the capital city of Samarqand were destroyed. The Mongols killed as many as 4 million people in this conquest with the Governor involved in the executions of the merchants having molten silver poured into his eyes.

Still not entirely satisfied in 1221 Genghis had his Generals wipe the Shahs birthplace the city of Gurganj off the map by breaking a dam and diverting a river through the city. The survivors of the flood were butchered in one of the bloodiest massacres in history, with only the artisans and craftsman spared and sent back to Mongolia to be slaves.

It only took Genghis Khan two years to conquer the Khwarezmian empire with him quoting, “I am the flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.“