(04-11-2015, 10:55 PM)Ryoko Wrote:(04-11-2015, 09:28 AM)Hammersmith Wrote: StuffWell, seems you've put me in my place. Good stuff!Â
I honestly can't figure out why they decided to be such assholes to everyone they conquered. Sure, the fear-factor probably helped a good bit with their aggressive land-grabbing, but "Don't be a jackass to the people you're trying to rule" is kind of Maintaining Your Empire 101. Given what you've described, it sounds like they practiced everything Machiavelli specifically said *not* to do.
Well the Mongols were very lenient compared to many empires, so long as you followed the rules. There was no great taxes or oppression, people were free to follow whatever religion they pleased, for example. Also local governments were often allowed lots of autonomy.
However if you fucked with them, or disobeyed, they would destroy your city and people like the fist of an angry god.
Very much a carrot/stick approach. Where the stick is being raped to death while your family is on fire.
So most people chose the carrot.
