character
also: Historical Figures

Genghis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire — and the standard reference for any leader considered terrifyingly far to the right (or just terrifying).

Origin

Temüjin (c. 1162–1227) unified the warring Mongol tribes under the title Genghis Khan ('universal ruler') and led the most extensive military expansion in pre-modern history. At its peak the Mongol Empire stretched from the Pacific to the Danube. Estimates of the death toll under his campaigns run into the tens of millions. He was also a serious administrator — religious tolerance, a postal system, written law — which has made him a reclaimed national hero in modern Mongolia.

Modern usage

The American political insult 'to the right of Genghis Khan' (or any name) is the canonical extreme-marker. Frequently invoked in business as the dark version of 'aggressive expansion.' Modern revisionism is also common: pop-history books love arguing Genghis was misunderstood.

In the wild

Her hiring bar is to the right of Genghis Khan.— common usage

Tags

conquest
empire
violence