Under the of the Khans’ reign, the Mongol empire was one of the largest and most powerful armies to ever exist in history. Conquest after conquest, the Mongols managed to control a vast majority of Asia during the middle ages. Ghenghis Khan, the famous mongolian warlord, united the native mongolian tribes and began his conquest of other lands between 1206 AD and 1263 AD. Thus began the rule of the Khans, which lasted until the 16th century. The Khans unsuccessfully attempted to invade Japan in 1274 AD, but were able to take control of China and establish the Yuan Dynasty in 1279 AD, under the rule of Kublai Khan. In 1368 the Yuan Dynasty ended and the Khans returned to Mongolia, but they returned to China between 1409 AD and 1449 AD. The Khans were also able to invade and occupy Russia between 1480 AD and 1502 AD.
Unfortunately few armor pieces remain from the the Mongol's glory days, since their armors were made of leather, which decays over time, and metal plates which were collected after battles.
HELMETS |
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Low, spherical-conical crown from the Golden Horse in Wstern Mongolia Dated to the thirteenth or early fourteenth century. Features: Made of iron, silver and gold. Holes on the side of the mask where chain mail is attached, thick ridges on crown surface, layer of silver sheet on iron helmet is covered with thick gilt. |
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Bobrov & Hudiakov, 2005, The Metal Ages and Medieval Period |
Mongon Sphero Conical Helmet with box shaped visor. Dated to fifteenth to seventeenth century. Helmet is made up of iron plates assembled with rivets and overlays. The overlays hide the joints. It is decorated with silver printing. Holes at the side and bottom parts of the helmet are used to attach chain mail. |