The famous warrior known for uniting the Mongol tribes and expanding their empire is Genghis Khan, originally named Temujin. He was born around 1162 and rose to power by consolidating various Mongol tribes under his leadership through a combination of diplomacy and military prowess. In 1206, he was proclaimed Genghis Khan, meaning "universal ruler." Under his leadership, the Mongol Empire expanded rapidly across Asia and into Europe, becoming the largest contiguous empire in history. His innovative military strategies, use of horse-mounted archers, and emphasis on meritocracy played key roles in his conquests, fundamentally changing the geopolitical landscape of the time.