Tamerlane: The Bandit who Became an Emperor

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Random thought that I've always had: "The Golden Horde" is one of the coolest names I have ever heard.

Timur never once lacked belief in his own capabilities and power, which is either the mark of a total psycho or a great man depending on who you ask.

I visited the Gur-e-Amir in Samarkand in 2017. It's an extraordinarily beautiful building and city. Uzbekistan is one of the most incredible places I've ever been; I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Istakhri, a 10th centry travel author wrote: "I know no place in Samarkand where if one ascends some elevated ground one does not see greenery and a pleasant place. It is the most fruitful of all the countries of Allah; in it are the best trees and fruits, in every home are gardens, cisterns and flowing water." Bear in mind that this was in the 10th century; under Temerlane's rule, the city only became richer and he arguably laid the foundation for it becoming one of the scientific capitals of the world at the time.

He was a great builder. He built towers of human skulls and many graveyards.

2:25 - Chapter 1 - A boy named iron 5:40 - Chapter 2 - Rise of the lame 8:00 - Chapter 3 - Towers of skulls 12:15 - Chapter 4 - Battling the elephants 15:00 - Chapter 5 - The last expedition 17:20 - Chapter 6 - Legacy

Tamerlane, the prince of destruction. The last great nomadic conqueror before the age of gunpowder.

He single-handedly killed more Muslims than 300 years of crusade combined. And he even had the nerve to call himself the sword of Islam. A double edged sword if you ask me. Also he liked to raid Georgia, i mean, he loved to raid Georgia.

One could say the long lost son of Genghis Khan not true but Tamerlane and Genghis both do share a common ancestor in the 9th century a very powerful warlord at the time.

Tamerlane was a charismatic leader who lacked the vision to enable his military gains to persevere after his death. Ultimately, Tamerlane's legacy amounted to massive death counts and nothing more.

He made one of the most classic of blunders. The most famous is "Never get involved in a land war in Asia."

Tamerlane was a lot like Alexander the Great in that he is known as being a great conqueror but not so much a great ruler. However, while Alexander had the excuse of dying at an early age before he could effectively administer his conquered domains, Tamerlane didn't and his empire, though lasting another century, would only go downhill as a result.

Not many channels cover this guy. Thanks Biographics!

"If you want to know the true value of this world, look at the value and character of those people who have it (arrogant people, corrupt rulers and Kings)" - Sufyān al-Thawrī

There are three teachers of military science in world history: Alexander, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane Harold Lamb

Oh my god I am internally screaming!!! Huge fan of your channel and I was just waiting and wishing for you to do a video on Tamerlane! As someone that comes from Uzbekistan, has seen his tomb and has heard of his deeds, I am so so happy this video came out! :)

I realize I am a history nerd when I see a biographical episode on someone I love and first bump the air

My absolute fav ruler of all time. "Are you a Sunni are you?" "Well I'm a Shia, off with your head for my minaret of skulls." Then "Are you Shia, are you?" " "Well I'm Sunni, your body will make a nice brick in my wall" but the brutality was necessary to scare all the bandits along the silk road into submission. Now to actually watch the clip lol

I don't know if its just me but Timur and others like him often get judged for their treatment of their enemies but it makes sense. People are more likely to surrender in the face of terror than fighting and in an inadvertent way stopping others from dying.

Consider this: Timur was a brilliant strategist and leader. These two qualities allowed him to climb the social ladder and become a great warrior. He was also wise enough to spare any artisans he found in every conquered city. They would be taken back to the capital of Samerkand so they could work any building project that Timur had in mind.