Khaaaaaaaaan!

This enormous metal statue of Temujin, more commonly known as Genghis Khan, was erected a few years ago outside the capital of Mongolia. It was one of the first projects undertaken by the fledgling government of the newly-independent country. Bit of a thumb in the eye to the Chinese, I suspect. Piclick for more photos.



On a related note, millions of Asian males are descended from Temujin. It makes sense, with the huge harem he was known to keep. From a purely evolutionary viewpoint, harems are the most efficient means of species preservation. They do not, however, work well for developing more static, agricultural societies and the civilizations they spawn. For that, monogamy is far more effective. Nonetheless, it's interesting that so many of the population of Asia and southern Russia are descended directly from a tiny handful of conquerors and emperors.