Genghis Khan is credited with founding the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century. Born as Temüjin, he united fragmented Mongol tribes and established a formidable empire that eventually spanned much of Eurasia. Under his leadership, the Mongol Empire became the largest contiguous empire in history, noted for its advanced military strategies, efficient administrative systems, and promotion of trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Genghis Khan's legacy includes both his brutal conquests and his efforts to unify diverse cultures within his empire, paving the way for a period of relative peace known as the Pax Mongolica.