1227 CE
A year marked by the death of Genghis Khan, the division of the vast Mongol Empire among his sons, and the excommunication of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II for delaying his promised Crusade.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- Genghis Khan died on August 18 during a campaign against the Western Xia kingdom, leaving behind the largest contiguous land empire in history stretching from China to Persia.
- The Mongol Empire was divided among Genghis Khan's four sons, with Ogedei designated as the Great Khan and his brothers receiving appanages spanning Central Asia, Persia, and the western steppe.
- Pope Gregory IX excommunicated Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II for repeatedly delaying his promised Crusade to the Holy Land, deepening the conflict between the papacy and the Hohenstaufen dynasty.
Conflict & Security
- Mongol forces completed the destruction of the Western Xia kingdom, carrying out Genghis Khan's order for its total annihilation in retaliation for its refusal to provide troops for his campaigns.
Climate & Environment
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 275 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.
Culture & Society
- The estimated world population was approximately 373 million.