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Temujin is born in Deluun Boldog near modern day Mongolia. Little is known of his earliest years. He may have been the descendant of a family of blacksmiths and he may have been named for a Tatar chieftain that his father had recently captured.
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After his father is poisoned, Temujin goes to take over his father's role as chieftain of their tribe. However, the tribe refused to be ruled by a young boy and cast out Temujin, his mother, and his three brothers, forcing them to live in poverty.
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In an argument during a hunting expedition, Temujin kills his half-brother, Behter, who liked to take whatever young Temujin killed or caught. This is the beginning of his reputation as a great warrior.
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After being captured and enslaved by the Tayichi'ud, his father's formers allies, Temujin escapes with the help of a guard. Jelme and Bo'orchu, who will become two of his generals, join forces with him as Temujin's reputation grows.
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Hoping to build an alliance with the Onggirat tribe, Temujin marries Borte. She is then kidnapped by the Merkit tribe as revenge against Temujin's father, who stole a Merkit wife.
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Temujin gathers several hundred supporters and rescues Borte from the Merkit tribe, where she was someone else's wife. Temujin rescues her and she gives birth to his first son nine months later. He takes several other wives over the course of his life.
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Temujin is named Genghis Khan, the ruler of the Turko-Mongol people. He builds an army that becomes one of the strongest in the world.
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In his first war outside of Mongolia, Genghis leads his army against the kingdom of Xi Xia in China. Genghis's army, far more organized that that of Xi Xia, wins easily and Xi Xia becomes a vassal of Mongolia.
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Genghis leads his army into northern China in 1214. When the Jin emperor asks Genghis to withdraw, promising him a princess, slaves, gold, and silver. Genghis agrees but gets angry and fears a counterattack when the Jin court retreats. He returns to Zhongdu in 1215 and starves the city into surrender.
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Even though Genghis seeks peace with Shah Muhammad of the Khwarizm Empire, Muhammad sends him the head of Mongol envoy. Genghis is furious and vows revenge.
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Seeking revenge for Muhammad's actions, Genghis's army storms through Central Asia. He attacks and plunders the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara
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The aging and ill general orders his army to remove any trace of Xi Xia. The troops comply and completely destroy entire towns and villages. Residents are either killed or taken as slaves.
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As punishment for disobedience, Genghis leads his army to Xi Xia. His army diverts a canal and water threatens to flood the city of Ningxia, forcing the troops to surrender.
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Already in failing health, Khan dies in a camp during a campaign against Xi Xia, a kingdom of China. He may have died due to injuries he received after he fell off of a horse the previous year.
