Tamerlane (1336-1405) is remembered as a synonym for barbarity, the
Mongol descendant of Genghis Khan, who determined to restore the
Mongol empire in a lifetime of war. Poverty, bloodshed, and
desolation followed his campaigns, which gave rise to many legends
which inspired such works as Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great. His
conquests extend from Mongolia to the Mediterranean, from Moscow to
Baghdad to Delhi, and everywhere he left destruction and carnage,
marked by towers of skulls. Marozzi uses his skills as a scholar
and journalist to describe dramatically the world of Tamerlane --
and more: he repeatedly travelled through these often still
troubled places in Central Asia still marked by Tamerlane and his
dynasty. Not only are there dramatic word-pictures here, but
numerous photographs, mostly taken by him. Paradocically, this
cruel despot also left a dramatic capital in Samarkand, with the
giant (but ruined) great mosque and monuments covered in
multi-colored mosaics. There, one seen Tamerlane's mausoleum, a gem
of Islamic art. Samarkand became a centre of scholarship and
science. Marozzi has a wonderful feel for language, and explores
with us the world of horror and beauty in one of the greatest
conquerors of all history with courage ad flair. A quite
fascinating read! (Kirkus UK)
A powerful account of the life of Tamerlane the Great (1336-1405),
the last master nomadic power, one of history's most extreme
tyrants ever, and subject of Marlowe's play. Marozzi travelled in
the footsteps of the great Mogul Emperor of Samarkland to write
this wonderful book which is part history, part travelogue. The
name of the last great warlord immediately conjures up images of
mystery and romance: medieval wafare on desert plains; the clash of
swords on snow-clad mountain; the charge of elephants across the
steppes of Asia; the legendary opulence and cruelty of the
illiterate, chess-playing nemesis of Asia. He ranks alongside
Alexander as one of the world's great conquerors, yet the details
of his life are scarcely known in the West. He was not born to a
distinguished family, nor did he find his apprenticeship easy -- at
one point his mobile army consisted only of himself, his wife,
seven companions and four horses -- but his dominion grew with
astonishing rapidity. In the last two decades of the fourteenth
century and the beginning of the fifteenth, he blazed through Asia.
Cities were razed to the ground, inhabitants tortured without
mercy, sometimes enemies were buried alive -- more commonly they
were decapitated. On the ruins of Baghdad, Tamerlane had his
princes erect a pyramid of 90,000 heads. During his lifetime he
sought to foster a personal myth, exaggerating the difficulties of
his youth, laying claim to supernatural powers and a connection to
Genghis Khan. This myth was maintained after his death in legend,
folklore, poetry, drama and even opera, nowhere more powerfully
than in Marlowe's play -- he is now as much a literary construct as
a historical figure. Tamerlane and his armies swept through country
after country, sacking great cities and imposing his order on the
vast steppes of Asia. Justin Marozzi follows in his path and evokes
his legacy in telling the tale of this fabulously cruel,
magnificent and romantic warrior.
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