The Mongol Empire was an empire spanning from Eastern Europe across Asia. It is the largest contingenous empire in the history of the world. It emerged from the unification of Mongol tribes under Genghis Khan (1206). He conquered first northern China and then the Empire of Khorezm (Persia).

Shortly after his death in 1227 the empire began to split into four independent khanates: the Golden Horde Khanate in Russia; the Jagatai Khanate in Central Asia; the great Yuan empire (1271-1368) (founded by Kublai Khan) ruling most of China; and the Il-Khan Khanate in the Middle East under Hulagu Khan
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The advance of the Mongols into Egypt was stopped when the Mamelukes defeated them in 1260.

The Mongols also invaded Europe and defeated Polish and Hungarian armies in 1241. Europe was saved because of the sudden retreat of the Mongols, caused by the death of the great Khan in the capital Karakorum.

With the breakup of the Yuan Dynasty in 1368, the Mongol Empire finally dissolved.