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May 27, 2025 33 mins

Genghis Khan reshaped the world with brutal force and brilliant organisation. He began life in exile and rose to be a powerful nomadic warrior who united the disparate Mongol tribes to create the largest contiguous empire in history. Dan is joined by economic historian Duncan Weldon to explain how his empire revolutionised global trade via the Silk Road and changed the tactics of global warfare for centuries to come. They discuss how he unified vast territories with a common legal code, developed a pioneering communication system, connected East and West and laid the groundwork for the eventual industrial revolution.


Duncan's new book is called 'Blood and Treasure: The Economics of Conflict from the Vikings to Ukraine.'


Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore


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