I find the Mongol the most interesting, because it was so short-lived Mongol culture had little to no lasting effect, but it was so sudden and violent that it completely upset global geopolitics in a way that can still be felt today.
The fact that Ghengis Khan obliterated the Khwarazmian Empire into a footnote of history overnight is just insane.
The Mongol conquests was proof of the power of military intelligence. As nomads their young men would scout ahead of their travels, noting terrain, resources, hazards, and potential enemies. Tracking the movements of enemy armies was nothing to them. After that it was just a matter of luring the enemy to a place they would be at the most severe disadvantage.
Yep, those mongols were metal.
There are many good deep dives into the Mongols. The best, in my opinion, is Dan Carlin's, Wrath of The Khans.
(post is archived)