> When I speak of a civilized society it is in comparison to other societies. That's exactly what I did, I compared the Mongol empire to early medieval countri

> When I speak of a civilized society it is in comparison to other societies. That's exactly what I did, I compared the Mongol empire to early medieval countries in Europe (Franks and Poland) which I definitely consider civilized, though as you mention not all are equally civilized. There is no tautology here.