Genghis Khan's Yassa: The Mongol Code of Law That Ruled an Empire

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the Yassa, the legal code attributed to Genghis Khan that governed the Mongol Empire. They discuss its origins, the blend of customary steppe law and decrees that shaped it, and how it enforced loyalty, trade, and religious tolerance. The hosts examine specific provisions, such as the death penalty for deserters and the protection of merchants, and consider whether the Yassa was a single written code or a collection of oral decrees. They address the controversy over its existence, citing sources like Juvayni and Rashid al-Din, and explain how the code's enforcement varied under later khans like Ögedei and Khubilai. The episode also touches on the Yassa's influence on the Pax Mongolica and its lasting legacy in Central Asian legal traditions. Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of this foundational but often misunderstood aspect of Mongol governance. #Yassa #GenghisKhan #MongolEmpire #MongolLaw #SteppeLaw #Juvayni #RashidalDin #SecretHistoryOfTheMongols #CentralAsia #Ögedei #Khubilai #PaxMongolica #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #MongolHistory #MedievalLaw #Tengri Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo