Genghis Khan Opens at the Field Museum

By Amy Cavanaugh in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 25, 2012 8:15PM

Last week we looked at the new mummy exhibit at the Field Museum, and yesterday the museum opened another big show—Genghis Khan. Aimed at broadening Khan’s image and legacy, the show is both an exploration of the ruler’s life and an overview of Mongolian culture from the 13th century to the present day.

The show opens with an imposing seated statue of Khan, a replica of a statue that is in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. It’s an appropriate beginning to a show that traces the legacy of one of the most brutal conquerors in history. The first section includes a full-size ger, a felt and wood structure that still serves as shelter for a third of Mongolians, a Shaman costume from the 19th-20th century, and other pieces that provide an overview of Mongolian life. This segues into exploring how Khan unified Mongol tribes in the 13th century, and includes hand cannons that utilized Chinese-invented gunpowder, chainmail and armor, and an explanation of various battle tactics that included siege warfare and rerouting rivers to flood rival cities. After unifying the tribes, Khan began to expand his territory, using his army of 100,000 to extend his empire from the Korean Peninsula to the Aral Sea. Among the more interesting items in the show is a replica of a triple-bow siege crossbow, which the Mongol army used to shoot flaming arrows hundreds of yards.

If the show ended there, it would likely encapsulate what most of us know about Genghis Khan. But the exhibit, which is organized by Imagine Exhibitions, takes things further. To help manage his vast empire, Khan introduced passports, which were round medallions that ensured safe passage throughout the empire for diplomats and state messengers. He adopted a policy of religious tolerance and a common law system to keep peace. Europeans already had stringed instruments, but Mongol emissaries showed them how to play them with bows. He introduced libraries, national parks, and the Pony Express. It’s a wide-ranging legacy, and one that is often overlooked in favor of his bloodier achievements.

Khan died in 1227 at age 65 during a siege, but the show continues past his death to explore what his children did with their land inheritance. His third son established Karakorum, a capital city on the Mongolian steppes, and there are many objects on display that were excavated from the city, including jewelry, coins, and textiles. The Mongol Empire fell amidst infighting by Khan’s heirs, and eventually grandson Kublai Khan emerged as the leader of China and moved the capital to Beijing.

With more than 200 objects on display, Genghis Khan is a large show, and one that succeeds in redefining Khan’s legacy. You’ll leave with a clearer idea of what Khan achieved during his time in power and his lasting innovations. But many of the artifacts aren’t related to Khan and explore Mongolian culture. These, like a mummy from this period, aren’t just important for understanding what life was like in Asia during the 13th century—they provide context for better understanding this oft-misunderstood leader.

Genghis Khan runs through September 3.