What has always puzzled me is the destructive mind set in terms of the Mongol Khans.
Why so destructive? Was there any inherent reason?
Admittedly, my knowledge is mostly based on the school as few years back and Conn Iggulden's books.
Also admittedly, Of course there is a certain attraction in burning down a city and killing all - I could be tempted myself sometimes.
But if we try to imagine a Mongol empire where the conquest might have happened along the lines of Kublai Khan's 'mercy'?
Would the empire still have been there? was the destruction the carrying element?
Ivan