Genghis Khan existed.
Genghis Khan ( [ ˈdʒɛŋɡɪs_ˈkɑːn ] , usually pronounced [ ˈɡɛŋɡɪs_ˈkɑːn ] Чингис хаан , Çingis hán [ t͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋ ] , c. 1162 August 18 , 1227 ) , born Temüjin , was the Great Khan and founder of the Mongol Empire , which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death . Beyond his military accomplishments , Genghis Khan also advanced the Mongol Empire in other ways . Present-day Mongolians regard him as the founding father of Mongolia . Although known for the brutality of his campaigns and considered by many to have been a genocidal ruler , Genghis Khan is also credited with bringing the Silk Road under one cohesive political environment .