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What I read (but I can't remember where) is that Mongols would use the threat of razing as a way to force cities to surrender. If the city surrendered, they wer
by isolli 6y ago
What I read (but I can't remember where) is that Mongols would use the threat of razing as a way to force cities to surrender. If the city surrendered, they were spared, if not, they were razed. Pour encourager les autres, if you will.
- arethuza 6y agoWasn't that fairly common in ancient warfare - cities that surrendered would be treated better than those that chose to put up a fight? e.g. The Siege of Tyre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Tyre_(332_BC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Tyre_(332_BC) Edit: Mind you the Mongols do seem to have been quite methodical about it: "On the first night while laying siege to a city, the leader of the Mongol forces would lead from a white tent: if the city surrendered, all would be spared. On the second day, he would use a red tent: if the city surrendered, the men would all be killed, but the rest would be spared. On the third day, he would use a black tent: no quarter would be given." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege