MONGOLS

KAITLYN GRANGE

11/21/14

War Tactics and Weapons in the 13th Century

In the 13th century, the Mongol

Army generals were brilliant

tacticians. It was composed of

skilled horsemen, and quick,

nimble soldiers, who had many

battle tactics, and weapons.

Some of the battle tactics that are used are spy

networks, catapulting, damming, lighting, isolating, and

coordinated attacks.

Spy Networking was a Mongol Army battle tactic. They had spies that

spent months before an attack scouting defenses, mapping roads and

escape routes, noting supply sources, and gathering intelligence on

local defense and infrastructure.

Catapulting was a battle tactic that shot large stones,

diseased animals, and flaming bombs over the walls of

opposing armies.

Another battle tactic

is something called

damming. Damming is

when the army

reroutes a stream

causing the town to

flood.

Lighting was a very intelligent battle tactic. They lit extra

campfires and placed straw soldiers on extra horses to

make the Mongol army appear larger than it actually was.

Isolating is when the Mongols isolate

the city and cutoff supplies to starve

inhabitants.

Coordinated attacks that took place included ambush, hit-

and-run, and wave attacks. One of the most successful

strategies was the feigned retreat, in which Khan Genghis’s

troops would fake defeat and run, only to turn on pursuing

enemies.

Not only did the Mongols have

powerful battle tactics, but

also had useful weapons that

helped them in battle. Some of

the weapons that were used

were, bows, arrows, quivers,

sabers, trebuchet, and triple-

bow siege crossbow.

Bows, arrows, and quivers were used in the 13th century by the

Mongols. These were the Mongol warrior’s principle weapon. It could

contain armor-piercing arrows, flaming arrows, or ones that made a

whistling sound to striker terror in their human targets.

Another weapon that was used in times of war is the saber.

It was used for close combat, made from iron, and very

lightweight.

The Mongols adapted this trebuchet from the Chinese and used it

against cities that had large, tall walls. It is a variation of the

catapult, that heaves a projectile at the enemy.

The Triple-bow Siege Crossbow is a Chinese artillery for Mongol

armies. These weapons could shoot large arrows, including incendiary

arrows with a burning tip, hundreds of yards.

The Mongol army was the dominant military force of the 13th century

and wasn’t very large. They relied on superior tactics, powerful

weapons, and speed.

WORKS CITED

"Battle Tactics." Genghis Khan. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. <http://genghiskhan.fieldmuseum.org/behind-the-scenes/establishing-an-empire/battle-tactics>.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fgenghiskhan.fieldmuseum.org%2Fexplore%2Fphoto-gallery%2Fweapons>.

"Battle Tactics." Genghis Khan. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. <http://genghiskhan.fieldmuseum.org/behind-the-scenes/establishing-an-empire/battle-tactics>.