Research Guides: HIST 347: The Mongol Empire (HC): Background Information

Manuscript Illumination

Hulagu, Mongol ruler of Persia, with His Christian Wife, Doquz Khatun (circa 1300) (Wikimedia Commons)

Background Information

The following sources provide overviews of Mongol history in the areas of China, Europe, Persia, and Russia. They are a quick way to find out the basic facts and recent scholarly interpretations.

When using an article in an encyclopedia or handbook, always check the bibliography for further reading at the end of the article. It will provide a selective list of the books, articles, and, frequently, Web resources considered to be the most up-to-date and reliable.

The Cambridge history of China
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See Volume 6, Alien regimes and border states, 907-1368.
Cambridge History of Iran
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See volume 5, Saljuq and Mongol periods
Chinese History: A New Manual
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This new edition features informed introductory essays, side bar topics ("felt Tents"), and comments for nearly every title sited, those written in Chinese and other languages as well as English. See the chapter on the Yuan dynasty, pages 775-787, for a treasure trove of information and resources.
The Mongol empire: A historical encyclopedia
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Through some 180 entries, this two-volume set covers every aspect of Mongol civilization, organizing content into eight sections: government and politics, organization and administration, individuals, groups and organizations, key events, military, objects and artifacts, and key places.
Companion to Russian History
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See Chapter Five: The Mongols and the Rus: Eight Paradigms. The book is also available online.
"Mongol Historiography since 1985: The Rise of Cultural History"
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This essay by David Morgan appears in the book, Nomads as Agents of Cultural Change: The Mongols and Their Eurasian Predecessors. Edited by Reuven Amitai and Michal Biran. University of Hawai'i Press, 2015. Pages 271-282.
The Mongols in World History
Useful, brief background readings about the Mongols in China. The visual images are accompanied by explanations. The website was produced produced by the Asia for Educators Program at Columbia University in consultation with historian Morris Rossabi in 2004.
New Cambridge medieval history
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See Vol. 5, c.1198-c.1300 for the chapter "The Mongols and Europe" and Vol. 6, c.1300-c.1415 for passages about the Mongols in Europe.

Subject Guide

Margaret Schaus

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Subjects: Africana & Black Studies, Cities, Classics, History, Latin American & Iberian Studies, Political Science, Writing Program

Web Resources

The Mongols in World History
This website from Columbia University offers background, readings, links and images concerning the Mongols, 1000-1500.
Mobility, Empire and Cross Cultural Contacts in Mongol Eurasia
This project gathers resources, organizes conferences, and promotes scholarship on Mongol history. See especially the tabs for Database, Publications and Links.
Mamluk Bibliography
Scholarship on Mamluks in Egypt and Syria. From the University of Chicago.