THOMAS T. ALLSEN: Culture and conquest in Mongol Eurasia. (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization.) xiv, 245 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. £40 (original) (raw)

2002, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

AI-generated Abstract

Thomas T. Allsen's book, "Culture and Conquest in Mongol Eurasia," presents a compelling revisionist view of the Mongol Empire, arguing that the Mongols were active agents in the facilitation of cultural exchange across their territories rather than mere conquerors. By analyzing sources from various cultures including Mongolian, Chinese, Persian, and European, Allsen illustrates how the Mongol polity stimulated and perpetuated the interconnectedness of cultures in medieval Iran and China. His work emphasizes the strategic importance of cultural brokerage, highlighting influential figures such as the Persian wazir Rashid al-Din and Mongol envoy Bolad Aqa, and explores diverse topics like agronomy, astronomy, and medicine, showcasing the depth of cultural interactions during the Mongol era.

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