THE POSSIBILITY

1260-94 KUBLAI KHAN

The grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai is often viewed as his greatest successor. His achievements include the unification of China, which had been divided since the end of the Tang Dynasty. His ruling of China was something Genghis had never been able to achieve and he proved himself a shrewd politician as well as emperor. Had Genghis been assassinated, this consolidation would never have occurred.

1271 MARCO POLO

The Travels Of Marco Polo has become something of a ‘boy’s own’ favourite. Adapted numerous times, these exotic tales of adventure and excitement still capture the imagination and have proven incredibly influential. Among a variety of subjects the book most famously details Polo’s journey’s along the Silk Road, which he embarked upon with his brothers in 1271. The trip took Polo some 24 years, much of which was spent in China. Upon first being transcribed, the book quickly spread throughout the Italian peninsula, with numerous copies made. This was pre-printing press era and while we remember the book now for its adventure and daring, at the time it was an important insight into Eastern culture. The book’s influence on travel and trade was enormous and without Genghis Khan it is doubtful there would have been a Marco Polo.

1206-27 VICTIMS OF THE KHAN

Exact figures surrounding the number of deaths that Genghis Khan can be held accountable for vary wildly and it’s impossible to ever know for sure. However, various historians put the figure at around 40 million. Some sources state that in one case the slaughter was so great that it took 12 days to count the dead. Had Genghis Khan be assassinated at an early age, countless men, women and children would have been saved instead of just those he deemed to be ‘useful’ to him and his empire.