The founder of the Mongol Empire was Genghis Khan, originally born as Temüjin around 1162. Rising from humble beginnings, he unified the Mongolian tribes and established a vast empire in the early 13th century. Under his leadership, the Mongols conquered significant portions of Central Asia and China, creating one of the largest contiguous empires in history. Genghis Khan implemented innovative military strategies and organizational techniques, fostering trade and communication across the empire through the Silk Road. His legacy includes not just military conquests, but also the promotion of cultural exchange and the establishment of a legal code that influenced governance in the Mongolian Empire.