Song, Liao, and Jin · Emperor of the Mongol Empire

Möngke 蒙哥

Ménggē

AD 1209 - AD 1259

Passages
62
Chapters
7
Histories
1

Overview

Möngke was an emperor of the Mongol Empire.

IdentityHistorical · Male

Other names

TypeEnglishChinesePinyin
Posthumous name Emperor Huansu 桓肅皇帝 Huánsù Huángdì
Temple name Xianzong 憲宗 Xiànzōng

Life and dates

Birth

Death

Attested activity

Show 53 more source-backed claims

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Key source chapters

  1. History of Yuan, Chapter 3 Volume 3 Annals 3: Xianzong 43 passages
  2. History of Yuan, Chapter 118 Volume 118 Biographies 5: Texuechan, Beitu, Alawusitijihuli 6 passages
  3. History of Yuan, Chapter 2 Volume 2 Annals 2: Taizong, Dingzong 5 passages
  4. History of Yuan, Chapter 191 Volume 191 Biographies 78: Virtuous Officials 1 4 passages
  5. History of Yuan, Chapter 106 Volume 106 Tables 1: Empresses and Consorts 2 passages

Career and standing

Places and affiliations

Show 25 more source-backed claims

Works and attributed material

  • admonition to Prince Batu on the squandering of Taizu and Ögedei's wealth, counting the thousand ingots against his yearly grant
    AD 1253 三年癸丑…夏六月 · Edict · Speaker · Direct quotation · Addressed to Batu (拔都)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 73-75
  • 「今在宋境，夏暑且至，汝等其謂可居否乎？」 — asked the princes, imperial sons-in-law and officials whether the army could remain in Song territory through the coming summer heat
    AD 1259 九年己未春正月乙巳朔 · Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 210
  • 「方今百姓疲弊，所急者錢爾，朕獨有此何為？」 — the people are worn out and need money, so what use are such things to him alone
    AD 1257 七年丁巳…九月 · Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 134
  • 「此天開道與我也。」 — "Heaven has cleared a path for me."
    AD 1235 to AD 1241 嘗攻欽察部 · Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 12

Events and relationships

  • Advanced with an army of forty thousand proclaimed as one hundred thousand in three columns, entering San Pass from Longzhou
    AD 1258 八年戊午…夏四月 · Military · Commander · At San Pass 散關
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 162
  • Asked his ministers for men capable of holding the frontiers firm and versed in military strategy
    AD 1254 四年甲寅…是歲 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 91
  • Assembled the princes north of the Onon and rewarded them generously
    AD 1253 三年癸丑春正月 · Political · Principal · At north of the Onon 斡難河北
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 66
  • Assembled the princes west of Gegen Na'ur and sacrificed to Heaven at Sun and Moon Mountain
    AD 1254 四年甲寅…是歲 · Ritual · Principal · At Sun-and-Moon Mountain 日月山
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 89
  • Attacked the Qipchaq tribe, whose chieftain Bachman fled to a sea island
    AD 1235 to AD 1241 嘗攻欽察部 · Military · Commander · With Bachman (八赤蠻)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 10-11
  • Campaigned south
    Military · Ruler and commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 191, passage 111
Show 51 more source-backed claims
  • Campaigned with Prince Batu against the Rus', fought hand to hand at Yaroslavl and took the city
    AD 1237 to AD 1240 復與諸王拔都征斡羅思部 · Military · Commander · With Batu (拔都) · At Yaroslavl 也烈贊城
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 19
  • Convened a council to campaign against the Song because they had defied his orders and imprisoned his envoys
    AD 1256 六年丙辰…六月 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 117
  • Crossed the Jialing River to the Baishui, had Tiange build a pontoon bridge, and rewarded him and his men with gold and silk
    AD 1258 八年戊午…冬十月 · Military · Commander · With Wang Tiange (汪田哥)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 177
  • Decreed that officials coming to court for fiscal audits might confess past irregularities and still be pardoned, and forbade further wasteful spending
    AD 1254 四年甲寅…秋七月 · Political · Principal
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 86
  • Defeated Qipchaq and captured Bachman
    AD 1237 九年丁酉 · Military · Commander · With Bachman (八赤蠻)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 2, passage 119
  • Dispatched envoys to summon Longzhou to submit
    AD 1258 八年戊午…冬十月 · Diplomatic · Principal · At Longzhou 龍州
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 183
  • Dispersed the princes to assigned territories
    AD 1252 二年壬子…夏 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 54-55
  • Divided the Muslim populace that submitted on the Amu River and granted them to princes and officials
    AD 1256 六年丙辰…冬 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 125
  • Entered Lizhou and granted Wang Tiange a cup of wine in commendation for holding it so ably that Shu never dared attack
    AD 1258 八年戊午…冬十月 · Political · Principal · With Wang Tiange (汪田哥)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 176
  • Followed on campaigns and repeatedly won extraordinary merit
    AD 1232 to AD 1248 從征伐，屢立奇功 · Military · Participant
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 9
  • Gathered princes and officials at Yier mogedu, feasted more than sixty days, granted gold and silk, and fixed the princes' annual allotments
    AD 1256 六年丙辰春 · Political · Principal · At Yier-mogedu 欲兒陌哥都
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 110
  • Granted Li Tan's plea that the troops of Yidu not be withdrawn
    AD 1258 八年戊午…夏四月 · Political · Principal · With Li Tan (李璮) · Outcome Granted
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passages 164-165
  • Had a soldier who pulled up scallions from civilian fields beheaded as an example, after which not the slightest thing was touched
    AD 1258 八年戊午…五月 · Legal · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 168-169
  • Had five hundred artisan households relocated to build the traveling palace
    AD 1252 二年壬子…十二月戊午 · Political · Principal
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 246
  • Halted at Hexikou and sent swift cavalry to raid Qingju Mountain
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十一月 · Military · Commander · At Hexikou 和溪口
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 193
  • Halted at Jünna'ur and poured fermented mare's milk in sacrifice to Heaven
    AD 1257 七年丁巳…秋 · Ritual · Principal · At Jünna'ur 軍腦兒
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 130
  • Halted the corvée building Karakorum, releasing fifteen hundred laborers
    AD 1251 元年辛亥 · Political · Principal · At Karakorum 和林
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 49
  • Injured his arm falling from his horse while hunting and did not hold court for more than a hundred days
    AD 1252 二年壬子…冬十月 · Personal · Subject
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 62
  • Left the baggage train at Liupan Mountain and led troops through Baoji to attack Chongguishan, pacifying every place reached
    AD 1258 八年戊午…秋七月 · Military · Commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 171
  • Ordered an immediate withdrawal on hearing Bachman's warning of the returning tide
    AD 1235 to AD 1241 嘗攻欽察部 · Military · Commander · With Bachman (八赤蠻)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 17-18
  • Ordered back to his own princely establishment after Ruizong (Tolui) died
    AD 1232 及睿宗薨 · Political · Subject · At his princely establishment 籓邸
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 8
  • Ordered by edict that the armies take no captives and do no plundering
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十二月 · Legal · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 205
  • Ordered the first registration of the new troops (初籍新軍)
    AD 1254 四年甲寅…是歲 · Political · Principal
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 90
  • Ordered the princes by edict to take the field against the Song
    AD 1257 七年丁巳春 · Military · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 127
  • Ordered the princes each to return to their appanages and dwell there
    AD 1256 六年丙辰…秋七月 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 118
  • Partly compensated the Uighurs for their treasures after Sayyid Ajall spoke for them, and forbade further such gifts
    AD 1257 七年丁巳…九月 · Political · Principal · With Saiyid Ajall (賽典赤)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 136
  • Personally directed the army in the first assault on Eding Fort and in the hard fighting at Wangxi Gate
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十一月 · Military · Commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 186-187
  • Proclaimed a general amnesty throughout the realm
    AD 1252 二年壬子…十二月戊午 · Political · Principal
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 240
  • Promulgated beneficial measures throughout the realm: recalling improperly issued seals, edicts and commissions, limiting princes' post horses, forbidding private recruitment of households and extortion by officials, and allowing grain delivery at nearer granaries
    AD 1251 元年辛亥 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 44-48
  • Proposed for the throne by Batu at the assembly of princes and generals at Alagh Tagh
    AD 1248 to AD 1251 歲戊申，定宗崩 · Political · Subject · With Batu (拔都) · At Alagh Tagh 阿剌脫忽剌兀
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 21, 28
  • Rebuked Prince Asudai for trampling the people's crops and had several attendants flogged
    AD 1258 八年戊午…五月 · Legal · Principal · With Asudai (阿速帶)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 167
  • Received at court King Xicuofu of Poli, the Yunnan chieftain Moheluo cuo, and envoys from the Sultan states
    AD 1256 六年丙辰…是歲 · Diplomatic · Host · With Xicuofu (細嵯甫)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 120
  • Received the court's congratulations on New Year's Day of the eighth year
    AD 1258 八年戊午春正月朔 · Ritual · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 144
  • Received the magistrates of the commanderies and counties in audience at Liupan Mountain
    AD 1258 八年戊午…夏四月 · Political · Host
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 160
  • Received the surrender of the magistrate holding Long Prefecture
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十二月 · Military · Commander · At Long Prefecture 隆州 · Outcome Surrender accepted
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 203
  • Reformed the government at large and distributed the chief offices of the realm
    AD 1251 元年辛亥 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 33-42
  • Rewarded in varying measure the magistrates of the districts the army passed through
    AD 1258 八年戊午…五月 · Political · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 170
  • Sent Alandar to audit Jingzhao officials
    Audit · Ordering ruler · With Alandai'er (阿藍答兒)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 191, passage 26
  • Sent Bulghu with troops to guard against the princes who failed to appear on time
    AD 1251 元年辛亥 · Political · Principal · With Bulghu (不憐吉䚟)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 32
  • Sent edicts to the Song garrison commanders of Jingnan, Xiangyang, Fancheng and Junzhou inviting them to submit
    AD 1252 二年壬子…秋七月 · Diplomatic · Principal
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 58
  • Sent envoys to demand an accounting from Prince Tachar and the imperial son in law Teligai for plundering the people of Dongping
    AD 1256 六年丙辰…秋七月 · Legal · Principal · With Tachar (塔察兒)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 119
  • Sent envoys to summon those who had not yet submitted
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十二月 · Diplomatic · Principal
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 202
  • Sent Prince Hulagu and Mangqasar with troops to watch Shiremün and his discontented brothers
    AD 1251 元年辛亥 · Political · Principal · With Prince Xulie (旭烈)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 31
  • Sent the Song man Jin Guobao to summon Wang Jian, defending commander of He Prefecture
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十二月 · Diplomatic · Principal · With Jin Guobao (晉國寶)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 208
  • Slaughtered Bachman's force, captured Bachman and ordered him imprisoned
    AD 1235 to AD 1241 嘗攻欽察部 · Military · Commander · With Bachman (八赤蠻)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 13, 15
  • Southern campaign
    AD 1259 歲己未 · Military · Commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 106, passage 17
  • Stormed Ya Prefecture and took it
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十二月 · Military · Commander · At Ya Prefecture 雅州 · Outcome Captured
    Strongly inferred · History of Yuan 3, passage 206
  • Took personal command of the campaign against the Song, entering by way of western Shu
    AD 1258 八年戊午…二月 · Military · Commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 149-151
  • Visited Taizu's traveling palace, sacrificed to the banners and drums, assembled at Kerulen and returned to Yier mieqietu
    AD 1257 七年丁巳…夏六月 · Ritual · Principal · With Taizu (太祖) · At Kerulen 怯魯連
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 129
  • Was met by Kublai and the princes and Princess Tuomiegan, held a great banquet, and sent each back to his appanage
    AD 1257 七年丁巳…冬 · Political · Host · With Emperor Shizu (世祖)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 143
  • Was rejoined at the mobile court by Prince Mögedü and Prince Tachar
    AD 1258 八年戊午…十一月 · Military · Commander
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 195

Assessments and attributes

  • AD 1259 九年己未春正月乙巳朔
    Assessment approved of Baraq's offer to remain and hold the southern lands (帝善之) · Mode narrative-report · About Person Id Baraq (八里赤)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 213
  • AD 1248 to AD 1251 歲戊申，定宗崩
    Assessment clear-minded and wise, as all men know (聰明睿知) · Mode quotation Source Person Id Uriyangqadai (兀良合台)
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 27
  • AD 1248 歲戊申
    Assessment court and camp alike looked to him for the succession after Güyük died, though many others coveted the throne · Mode narrative-report
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 20
  • fell from his horse while hunting and injured his arm, and held no court for more than a hundred days
    AD 1252 二年壬子…冬十月 · Injury
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passage 62
  • AD 1257 七年丁巳…九月
    Item a crystal basin, a pearl umbrella and other Uighur treasures worth more than thirty thousand ingots of silver 水精盆、珍珠傘 · Relation Refused
    Directly stated · History of Yuan 3, passages 133, 135

Source notes

References in the histories

62 passages

History of Yuan, Chapter 2Volume 2 Annals 2: Taizong, Dingzong · 5 passages
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History of Yuan, Chapter 3Volume 3 Annals 3: Xianzong · 43 passages
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元年辛亥夏六月，西方諸王別兒哥、脫哈帖木兒，東方諸王也古、脫忽、亦孫哥、按只帶、塔察兒、別裏古帶，西方諸大將班裏赤等，東方諸大將也速不花等，復大會於闊帖兀阿闌之地，共推帝即皇帝位於斡難河。 In the first year (xinhai), in the sixth month of summer, the western princes Berke and Toghtamur, the eastern princes Yeke, Toghu, Yissüngge, Ajai, Tachar, and Belgütei, the western generals led by Barchin, and the eastern generals led by Yesu Buqa met again at Kötö'ü Adal and together enthroned him on the Onon River.
History of Yuan, Chapter 106Volume 106 Tables 1: Empresses and Consorts · 2 passages
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火里差皇后 （火魯剌部人。） 忽都台皇后 （弘吉剌氏，按陳從孫女，至元二年追諡貞節皇后。） 也速兒皇后 （貞節妹也。） 出卑三皇后 （歲己未，從憲宗南伐，七月憲宗崩，九月八日后亦薨于六盤。） 明里忽都魯皇后 （泰定三年詔守班禿營帳。） Empress Huolicha (of the Huolula tribe). Empress Hudutai (Kongirat, a collateral granddaughter of Anchannayan; posthumously titled Empress Zhenjie in 1265). Empress Yesu'er (Zhenjie's younger sister). Third Empress Chubei (in 1259, while accompanying Möngke on the southern campaign, the emperor died in the seventh month and the empress died at Liupan on the ninth month's eighth day). Empress Minglihudulu (in 1326 ordered by edict to maintain Bantu's camp establishment).
History of Yuan, Chapter 109Volume 109 Tables 4: Princesses · 1 passage
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昌國大長公主帖木倫，烈祖女，適昌忠武王孛禿，主薨，繼室以太祖女昌國大長公主火臣別吉。 昌國大長公主亦乞列思，適孛禿子帖堅干，繼室以昌國大長公主茶倫。 昌國大長公主安禿，太宗子闊出女，適孛禿子昌武定王瑣兒哈。 吾魯真公主，世祖女，適帖木干子孛花。 昌國大長公主也孫真，適鎖兒哈子昌（武）忠靖王札忽爾陳。 魯魯罕公主，適孛花弟寧昌郡王唆都哥。繼室以魯倫公主。 昌國大長公主伯雅倫，憲宗女，適札忽爾陳子昌忠宣王忽鄰。繼室以昌國大長公主卜蘭奚。 普顏可里美思公主，適唆都哥子寧昌郡王不鄰吉歹。 昌國大長公主益里海涯，成宗女，適忽鄰子昌王阿失。繼室以昌國大長公主買的，憲宗曾孫女也。 昌國大長公主烟合牙，適昌王八剌失里。 昌國大長公主月魯，適八剌失里子昌王沙藍朵兒。 奴兀倫公主，安西王女，適忽鄰弟瑣郎哈。 Grand Princess of Chang, Temülün, daughter of the founding ancestor, married Bo'ertu, the loyal and martial King of Chang. After her death, Taizu's daughter Grand Princess of Chang Huochen Bieji became his successor consort. Grand Princess of Chang Yiqiliesi married Bo'ertu's son Tieqian'gan; after her death, Grand Princess of Chang Chalun succeeded her. Grand Princess of Chang Antu, daughter of Ögedei's son Kuochu, married Bo'ertu's son Suo'erha, the martial and stabilizing King of Chang. Princess Wuluzhen, Kublai's daughter, married Tieqian'gan's son Bohua. Grand Princess of Chang Yesunzhen married Suo'erha's son Zhahuer Chen, the loyal and tranquil King of Chang. Princess Luluhan married Bohua's younger brother Soduge, Prince of Ningchang; Princess Lulun was the successor consort. Grand Princess of Chang Boyalun, Möngke's daughter, married Zhahuer Chen's son Hulin, the loyal and illustrious King of Chang; Grand Princess of Chang Bulanxi succeeded her. Princess Puyan Kelimeisi married Soduge's son Bulinjidai, Prince of Ningchang. Grand Princess of Chang Yili Haiya, Temür's daughter, married Hulin's son Ashi, King of Chang; Grand Princess of Chang Maidi, a great-granddaughter of Möngke, was the successor consort. Grand Princess of Chang Yanheya married King of Chang Balashili. Grand Princess of Chang Yuelu married Balashili's son King of Chang Shalanduo'er. Princess Nuwulun, daughter of the Prince of Anxi, married Hulin's younger brother Suolangha.
History of Yuan, Chapter 116Volume 116 Biographies 3: Empresses and Consorts 2 · 1 passage
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History of Yuan, Chapter 118Volume 118 Biographies 5: Texuechan, Beitu, Alawusitijihuli · 6 passages
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History of Yuan, Chapter 191Volume 191 Biographies 78: Virtuous Officials 1 · 4 passages
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遣阿藍答兒往京兆，大集官吏，置計局百四十二條以考核之，罪者甚眾，世祖每遣左丞闊闊與澄周旋其間，以彌縫其缺，及親入朝，事乃釋。 Möngke dispatched Ala'er to Jingzhao, summoned a mass gathering of officials, and imposed one hundred and forty-two audit regulations by which to investigate them; a great many were found guilty. Kublai repeatedly sent Left Assistant Minister Kökö and Cheng to intervene and mitigate the damage, and only when he went to court in person was the matter finally settled.