Notes
conquest 征服;
steppe ステップ、(特にシベリア・アジアの)大草原;
fertile: /fˈəːtɑɪl/〈土地が〉肥えた，肥沃な;
fuel: 刺激する，あおる;
flourish: ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/ 繁盛する、盛大である、活躍する;
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In the late 1100s, the Mongol tribes were divided, but by the early 1200s, they united and began expanding their empire. Genghis Khan played a crucial role in their conquest, but a study suggests that favorable climate changes also contributed. The Mongol steppes, their grasslands, became greener and more fertile with increased rainfall and mild temperatures. This benefited their vital horses, fueling the Mongol military. The improved climate helped the Mongol Empire flourish
While climate change wasn’t the sole reason for their conquests, it played a significant role. Other civilizations, like the Anasazi and the Angkor, faced similar climate shifts and devastating droughts. (Adapted from Time’s artcile “How Climate Change Drove the Rise of Genghis Khan”)
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