Genghis Khan

# Genghis Khan Born Temüjin on the Mongolian steppe, he rose from captivity and poverty to unite the fractious Mongol tribes and forge the largest contiguous land empire in human history. He instituted meritocracy in an age of birthright, established the first international postal system, championed religious tolerance, and enabled trade across Eurasia for a century. He also destroyed cities so completely their locations were forgotten. The man who made the modern world was also one of its most catastrophic forces.