Non-elite women, specialized in their fields, were honored by men for their contribution to the Mongol Empire. Alan Gho’a, the official Mongol accountant held a prominent “position in an otherwise exclusively male line of descent [which] point[ed] up the high status of women in Mongolian society and anticipate[d] the crucial role [women] later were to play in the emergence and consolidation of the empire” (Fairbank, Franke, and Twitchett 330). In addition, Sorqoqtani was praised for her “intelligence and political acumen” by Bar Hebraeus, a male physician, who claimed “‘[i]f I were to see among the race of women another who is so remarkable a woman as this, I would say that the race of women is superior to the race of men’” (Hong 377). …show more content…
Genghis Khan’s “daughter led the final assault on the […] Nishapur” (Man 26), and “princesses of the khan’s family […] [took] part in general assembly,” (Zhao 57) participating in making important strategic military or political decisions (Zhao 56). In addition, women gained more independence as they acted as heads of the household in times of war when their husbands were fighting, which made them head of household management, which “allowed them to gain high status in family life,” as women began to control men because they had to rely on them for supplies and survival (Zhao 56). Overall women were “generally accorded […] higher status and more rights” as they played such vital economic and military roles “that it was imperative to grant them substantial authority (Rossabi, “From Yuan 365). This shows how average women experienced higher status during the Yuan Empire as they became more authoritative in private within families, and became more independent and involved in warfare, and in supporting the family and her husband.
In addition, the influence of the non-Chinese Mongols influenced changes in traditional Chinese law and cultural practices. The rule of the Mongols was incredibly significant in improving the rights of women as they expanded “protective legislation for women” (Rossabi, “From Yuan” 331). The Mongol Emperors, perhaps under the influence of their wives, whom
Some people would say the Mongols were a key development to civilization. However, the progress they made is nothing compared to their cruelty and the process they used to conquer the majority of Asia and parts of the Middle East. The Mongols were originally a small, nomadic tribe that originated from the steppes of Central Asia. The tribe placed little value on objects, considering they moved around in yurts and hardly settled. Led by Genghis Khan, they conquered land worth double the size of the Roman Empire. The Mongols were greedy, bloodthirsty barbarians who had little to no regard for human life. They went to unthinkable lengths to conquer land while destroying countless ancient cities.
Over a span of several decades, Wu Zetian inalterably changed life in China for woman as well the clergy and the poor. By doing so, she left a perpetual footprint on China’s long history that transcends the mere fact that she was the first woman to rule the “Red Dragon”.
Women in ancient Rome and China were very different but quite similar as for as their treatment and roles were concerned. In both cultures they were under the protection of their fathers until they married. When they married they were to stay home and be wives, they were not formally educated and learned to manage their households. They were not allowed to disgrace their families in any way and were inferior to men from the moment of birth. Chinese women whether from a noble or a poor family could not escape oppression, but it was somewhat easier for the women from Noble families. (8) Comparing the women of Ancient Rome (750BC – AD500) and the women of China (350BC – AD600), from the roles they played in
Women living during the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty lived in a society where gender roles were strictly imposed. The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty existed in two distinctive time periods, but the roles of women were indistinguishable between the pair. The Han Dynasty existed from 206 BCE-220 CE, while the Roman Empire lasted from 27 CE-476 CE. The treatment women received in the Han and Roman societies were all based on gender and stereotypes. Women’s roles in marriage, domestic life, and society in the Roman Empire and Han China portrayed their limited freedom and voice.
In both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire, women were seen as delicate figures and had limited political freedom. Women in Han China were required to be accompanied and led by a male, whether
Women have played important roles throughout history. They have been responsible for the rise and fall of nations, sustaining families, and have been the focal point of worship in ancient religions. Moving forward in history, women's roles have continually changed. Their status as matriarchs changed as the more advanced ancient civilizations rose. The patriarchal societies of ancient Greece and Rome viewed women differently from some societies of past eras. The study of the economic and political status of women, their rights, and their contributions to both these ancient societies reveals how views change throughout history.
The major legacies of the Mongol rule in the Islamic world are that they supported trade, built roads, increased religious tolerance, further advanced in medicine and astronomy and built paper money. They reopened four major trade routes which were closed – Silk Road, sea route from China to Persian Gulf, Siberian Route and an alternate route from lower Volga. The four major legacies of Genghis Khan, the founder of Mongol empire were tolerance, written language, legal code and trade and crafts.
Women in second wave civilizations from China, Rome, and Greece around 600 BCE to 200 AC were treated very differently from each other and their male counterparts from this time, but they also shared some similarities. In this essay, I'll be exploring the differences from each other, and how women played a role in their civilizations during this time. Women in this time period don't have as many rights as they do today, but they still play a part in their civilizations/empires. So without further ado, let's see the similarities and differences between these civilizations.
Mongol women had a great presence and power in the Mongol Empire. Women like Toregene, Fatima, Oghul Ghaimish, and Sorkhokhtani all had great influence in the empire and they knew how to exert it.
As China faced new international pressures and the change to a communist society, gender relations transformed women from servants of men to full independent workers, who finally became soldiers of the communist state. In Jung Chang’s novel, Wild Swans, the three women – grandmother Yu-Fang, mother Bao-Qin and daughter Jung Chang – exemplify the expected gender roles of each generation. I will argue that Confucian society presented few economic opportunities for women to support
The struggle for women to play a significant role in history can be traced from the ancient Mesopotamians to the 1900’s. There has been a continuous battle for women to gain equal rights legally and to be treated equally in all aspects of life. The Epic of Gilgamesh contains some of the oldest recorded accounts of the roles of women and their importance in a functional society. Women have been viewed as anything from goddesses to unwanted servants throughout history, regardless of a variety of changes in rulers, religions, and time periods. The Epic of Gilgamesh might lead one to consider the roles of women small and insignificant compared to the man 's role. In fact, throughout the epic tale, three women; Shamhat, Ishtar, and Siduri, were able to create and maintain a civilized Mesopotamian society using the uniqueness of their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Jack Weatherford’s Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World provides a refreshing and insightful perspective on the Mongol Empire and their impact on history. Weatherford ardently dispels stereotypes often associated with Genghis Khan and the Mongols while highlighting their significant achievements that immensely induced them and the modern world. As Weatherford explained the history of Temujin, I found myself admiring how he overcame various hardships and created a destiny for himself. He not only created an empire, “he built a new and unique system based on individual merit, loyalty, and achievement.” (Weatherford xix)
Medieval China, as seen in the Stories from a Ming Collection, was characterized by distinct separations between men and women’s abilities, typical old fashioned family structure, and a desire to advance their social status. Throughout all the stories in this book, it dives deep into different aspects of how men and women are treated, how families were structured and how that affects their lives, as well as the values these people held. A very common trend in the stories was how different men and women were treated and the limitations they may or may not had.
The world has not been the same since the Mongol Empire rose and took control in the 13th century. The world has been more culturally connected. An open door policy has truly given rise to some of the most influential ideas of the modern day. At this time of the Mongol growth, European empires fail to colonize the known world, and today are only accredited for the Roman Empire and the Black Plague.
What if women ruled the world? The question does not seem so strange today as it may have back in 2500 B.C.E., an age when people tell stories of the Great King of Uruk--Gilgamesh. Although the story of “Gilgamesh” revolves around themes of masculinity and brotherhood--with its male prerogative, its composers develop several strong female characters which suggest women have great influence in a male-dominated, Mesopotamian society.