During Genghis Khans rise to power and subsequent conquests, he gathered many men to his side who became his trusted confidants and most able commanders. Four of them came to be known as his notorious Four Dogs of War. In this article, we shall explore the extraordinary stories of these legendary Mongol warriorsJelme, Jebe, Qubilai, and Sbeedeitheir legacies, and the legends that have filtered down to the modern day.Four Dogs, Raised on Mans FleshThe equestrian statue of Genghis Khan near Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, the largest equestrian statue in the world. Source: Wikimedia CommonsTemujin raised four dogs on mans flesh and keeps them shackled in chains. So said Jamuqa, former blood brother turned enemy of Genghis Khan during the Battle of Chakirmaut in 1204 CE in the historical epic, The Secret History of the Mongols. Jamuqa continues his description in a notoriously poetic passage:Those four dogs have Bronze as their foreheads, Borers as their tongues, Chisels as their snouts, Steel as their hearts, Swords as their whips. They drink the dew and ride the wind. At the scenes of slaughter, they swallow human flesh; On the day of dealing death, they devour the flesh of men.It is possible the quote was fabricated, however, it still creates a vivid image of the brutal and terrifying reputation the four generals have in the popular imagination. However, a different aspect to them, and the meaning of their title, appears in a later passage.Genghis Khan, Yuan Dynasty Portrait, 14th century. Source: National Palace Museum, TaipeiAfter finally uniting the Mongol tribes, Genghis held a Kurultai, essentially a grand assembly of his new peoples, in 1206 CE. There he gave a speech singling out the Four Dogs for their loyalty, steadfastness, and ability:When I sent you, the four dogs of mine, Qubilai, Jelme, Jebe and Sbeedei, towards a purpose I had planned, By the time I said to get there, The boulder you ground to grit. Before I said to attack there; The cliff you crushed apart, Shattering through the smooth stone, Diving through the deep water.Both passages are a perfect dichotomy. The Dogs of War appeared to their enemies as war machines and monsters made human. To their compatriots, however, they are heroes who helped found the Mongol nation and brought it eternal glory. We shall look at the lives of all four men, to understand why Genghis favored them, and why his enemies feared them. What are the pedigrees, one might ask, of the Dogs of War?1. Jelme: The Loyal CompanionA manuscript showing Genghis rewarding the Four Dogs and other followers at the Kurultai of 1206 CE. Source: BnFThe first of the dogs to join Genghis was Jelme. In fact, he was tied to Genghis from birth. According to the Secret History, when Genghis was born, Jelmes father pledged his son in service to the newborn Genghis in adulthood and so it came to be in around 1180 CE. Though technically a servant to Genghis, Jelmes position was not a lowly one. At a time when Genghis, still known as Temujin, had few followers and little prestige, Jelme was a welcome and respected member of his following.Jelme was a capable retainer and advisor for Temujin and helped him win his earliest victories that saw him first proclaimed Genghis, or Great Khan, by his increasingly large following in the mid-1180s CE. Genghis would not forget Jelme, praising his faithfulness when Genghis had no friend but a shadow and promoting Jelme to be one of his most senior leaders, ruling his other followers. Jelme stuck by Genghis through thick and thin. He remained with Genghis during the lost years of the 1190s CE, when Genghis was attacked and exiled by Jamuqa, fleeing to China. However, Genghis would return with Jelme and the other Dogs of War by his side.The apogee of Jelmes loyalty came during the battle of Kyiten at the turn of the 13th century. During the battle, Genghiss horse was shot from under him, and he was injured in the neck. Jelme diligently remained by his side and nursed his lord back to health, at one point even stealing some mares milk from the enemy camp for Genghis. The archer who wounded him shall be discussed later.Gate to the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, Tsonjin Boldog. Source: Wikimedia CommonsJelme was an invaluable officer in Genghis Khans military machine, however, he doesnt appear to have often held independent command. Rather, it seems he stayed close by to Genghis, perhaps still serving as his steward and personal advisor. After Genghis finally united the Mongol Steppe tribes, he again sang the praises of Jelme who had been tied to him since birth and he proclaimed him one of his most senior men in his new kingdom. Even as the Mongols conquered new lands, Jelme seems to have remained by the side of his khan as a loyal advisor and perhaps friend.The historian Rashid Al Adin mentions Jelme dying during the time of Genghis Khan which could have been any time between 1207 and the 1220s, though scholars tend to assume earlier dates. Jelme was not necessarily a great general, but he was by no means less important to Genghis. Truly, his faithful service to the young man surviving on the Steppe through to his most glorious epoch is a near-unmatched story of loyalty and ability.2. Qubilai: Master of DisciplinePersian manuscript of Mongol horse archers, 13th century. Source: Columbia UniversityQubilai (also spelled Kublai) has been somewhat obscured in history by his later and far more famous namesake, Kublai Khan, Genghiss grandson and founder of the Yuan Dynasty. However, Qubilai the Dog of War deserves recognition. According to the Secret History, he and his brothers were some of the first people to join Genghis after his first success against the Merkits. During this early period, when Genghis was still building up his forces, Qubilai was made a guard of the Khans household.Like Jelme, Qubilai remained a loyal companion to Genghis, despite being a noble member of his own tribe, most likely following him through the lost years and on his return. Qubilai was often deployed alongside his fellow Dog of War Jebe, leading scouting and reconnaissance missions during the unification of Mongolia. One episode saw them charged with taking the loot during Genghiss defeat of the Tatar tribes, allowing the rest of the army to pursue and capture their fleeing foes.This strategy was a crucial part of Genghiss success. Previous Steppe conflicts often saw victorious armies halt to plunder what they could from the losers, allowing them to escape as the soldiers took what they could for themselves. However, by ensuring all the plunder was managed by a subordinate, Genghiss army could pursue their enemies and have all plunder divided equally among all his soldiers, making no special dispensation for nobles or higher ranks. This was vital to ensuring the loyalty and service of his men who would willingly fight for him, knowing they would get a fair share of the glory, rather than just getting what they could while the traditional aristocrats received more of the glory and plunder.Mongols at war, 14th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsQubilai appears to have excelled in this managerial and discipline enforcement role. So much so that, according to the Secret History, Genghis tasked him to preside over all the affairs of the army and be chief disciplinarian of the unified Mongol forces. This was a prestigious and vital position. Much of the success of Genghis and his descendants was thanks to the strict military discipline and strategic flexibility derived from a clear chain of command.Qubilai clearly excelled in instilling this discipline and keeping the armies of Genghis well-managed and supplied. Part of this duty still included the taking of loot from defeated foes and raided cities, a portion of which was kept in trust for the widows and orphans of fallen soldiers, further instilling loyalty among the army and allowing them to campaign for longer periods without fear of their familys well-being.After the full unification of Mongolia, Qubilai is only recorded going on one further mission. This was to subjugate the nearby Qaarlut Nation, whose ruler submitted to Genghis, who in turn praised this submission and married this ruler to one of his daughters. This was another example of Genghiss new way of conducting warfare: providing enemies who submitted bloodlessly with fair and respectable treatment. Aside from this, it seems Qubilai, like Jelme, stayed close to Genghiss side. However, his instillation of discipline and masterminding of the armies would be of huge benefit to other generals, including the last two Dogs of War.3. Jebe: The ArrowFrench depiction of the Jebe and Sbeedeis combined victory at the battle of the Kalka River, 19th century. Source: British LibraryAfter the Battle of Kyiten, the Secret History records that Genghis interrogated some defectors from the defeated enemy about who the archer was that had shot his horse and almost killed him. A man named Jirqoadai told Genghis plainly that he was the archer in question. He then offered to let Genghis kill him there and then or spare him and he would become the Khans most loyal vassal, willing to take on any task. Genghis was so impressed by Jirqoadais bravery and straight shooting, in every sense, that he made him a general and renamed him Jebe, meaning arrow. And so, the man who almost killed him became the arrow to Genghiss bow.The story may or may not be wholly accurate but it gives a good characterization of who the warrior Jebe was and the tactical ruthlessness he would soon unleash. As previously noted, Jebe partnered with Qubilai on scouting and reconnaissance missions during the unification of Mongolia. While Qubilai took charge of discipline and logistics, however, Jebe was chosen by Genghis to be a field commander, a role he would excel in.Many historians rank Jebe as one of the finest cavalry generals in history, and his achievements during the Mongol conquests show why. He commanded a wing of the army that invaded Jin China in 1211, often using the speed and maneuverability of his forces to lure his enemy into disadvantageous positions. Then in 1218, he defeated an old enemy of Genghis, Kushlug of the Qara Khitai, with just two Tumens20,000 men. During the invasion of the Khwarazm Empire, he and Sbeedei served as commanders of the advance guard, ruthlessly pursuing the Shah of Khwarazm as he fled the avenging Mongol forces. Jebes greatest glory, however, was yet to come.Mongol Warrior statue, Singapore Museum. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn 1220, Jebe and Sbeedei organized the Great Raid. Starting from eastern Iran, the two Dogs of War journeyed into the unknown with just 20,000 men. They pushed through the Caucasus Mountains, destroying a Georgian army many times their size, and carried on north and east in a great circle around the Caspian Sea. They then surprised the Kipchaks, allies of Genghiss old enemy, the Merkits. The Kipchaks joined forces with those of several Rus princes, including the prince of Kyiv and other famous cities, to defeat the Mongol menace. Jebe and Sbeedei led their enemies on a nine-day false retreat before turning on them and destroying them at the legendary Battle of the Kalka River.Yet after this astonishing triumph, Jebe all but disappears from the historical record. No contemporary sources mention his later whereabouts after the completion of the Great Raid. It is speculated, but not certain, that he died shortly after the raid or perhaps during the final stages. In any case, Genghiss arrow and the most unlikely of the Dogs of War came to a sudden end after proving to be such a terrifying military adversary for his foes. This leaves us with the final, and easily most notorious of the Dogs of War: Sbeedei.4. Sbeedei: The LegendA Medieval German depiction of Sbeedeis victory over the Hungarians at Mohi in 1241 CE, 13th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsSbeedei (or Subudai) is without doubt the most infamous and well-known of the Dogs of War, and with good reason. He has gone down as one of the most brilliant and ruthless generals in history, winning astonishing victories and instilling terror in his foes all in the service of Genghis and his descendants. Yet despite his reputation, or perhaps because of it, there are many misconceptions about his career and lifemisconceptions that have also bled into the wider view of the Dogs of War, Genghis, and his Mongol Empire.It is commonly believed that Sbeedei was Jelmes younger brother. However, newer sources and understandings of the Secret History have shown they were cousins or some close male relative to each other but did not have the same father. Regardless, Sbeedei followed his relative Jelme and his master Genghis but only gained station around the turn of the 13th century, when he and his brother defeated a group of bandits. Sbeedeis star rose quickly due to his bravery and talent for warfare. He was most likely the youngest and least senior of the Four Dogs, but his abilities shone through enough that he went from relative obscurity to a prestigious and vaunted position in a relatively short space of time.There is little that hasnt already been said about Sbeedeis astonishing military accomplishments. His first independent command was in conquering the remains of the Merkit tribe that had fled Genghiss rise and allied with the Kipchaks west of Mongolia. He then formed a brilliant partnership with Jebe, firstly campaigning in China, then in Central Asia pursuing the Khwarazm Shah, and then embarking on the Great Raid during the 1210s-1220s CE.Subutai, Chinese drawing, 16th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsGenghis Khan died in around 1227 CE and by that time, Sbeedei was the last living Dog of Waryet his military marvels in service to Genghiss heir, Ogedei, would continue. Firstly, in China, he continued the innovations of mobility, military discipline, and flexibility instilled by Genghis, Qubilai, and Jebe by attacking multiple armies operating in concert. His most legendary campaign, however, came in the late 1230s CE, when he, alongside Genghiss grandson Batu, invaded Russia and Central Europe.Though Batu was nominally in command, Sbeedei was the true mastermind. His forces swept through Ukraine and Russia, finally destroying the Kipchaks and their Rus allies before the independent principalities could form a united defense. Sbeedei continued pursuing fleeing Kipchaks into Hungary and Poland, engineering several stunning victories, the complete destruction of the Hungarian army, as well as plundering much of Eastern Europe.Sbeedei would return to Mongolia after the death of Ogedei. Though aged over 70, he was still able to organize a final campaign against the Song Dynasty in around 1243 CE. Not long afterward though, the last of Genghiss almighty generals and faithful Dogs of War passed away peacefully, in his home in Mongolia.Sbeedeis long and well-documented military career made him the most famous of the Mongol generals in the West, outside of Genghis himself, but it has also colored perceptions. With so much of the historical record focused on Sbeedeis military exploits, warfare and conquest dominate our understanding of him and the other Dogs of War.Understanding the Four DogsThe advances of Genghis Khan and his generals and the territorial expansion of the Mongol Empire. Source: Wikimedia CommonsJelme, Qubilai, Jebe, and Sbeedei were extraordinary men. A title like the Dogs of War may lend itself to presumptions of conquest and military ferocity. Yet investigating the lives of the men themselves, much of their story revolves around their loyalty and support of Genghis in creating the new Mongol nation.Both interpretations have meritdogs can be savage beasts or loyal companionsand the dichotomy was undoubtedly intentional on the part of the Secret Historys compilers. However, returning to our two original passages, the description given by Jamuqa is one of the most well-known and recited in popular discussions of Genghis and his Four Dogs. It fits the popular image of the notorious conqueror perfectly. Meanwhile, the later passage with Genghis as the charismatic leader praising and rewarding his loyal and able lieutenants is often forgotten.There is an undercurrent of brutality and violence that pervades popular discussions of the Mongol Empire, even in positive accounts. For example, a popular modern nickname for Sbeedei is the Demon Dog of Genghis Khan. However, during his lifetime, Sbeedei held the epithet Baatur, meaning hero, a title given only to those of great valiance and standing.The bloody reputation of the Mongols is not without merit, but other conquerors are often celebrated for their military prowess, not dreaded. Few would describe the Marshals of Napoleon as demons. Modern historians are challenging this tendency and some of it is due in part to sources and stories only recently becoming widely available. Yet, at the risk of over-romanticizing him, Genghis truly should be known for feats other than his conquests, as should the stories of the men who followed him.Chinggis Khan advising his sons on his deathbed, 15th-century miniature from Marco Polos Livre des Merveilles, 1410-12. Source: BnFBloody and ruthless warriors they may have been, but all four men showed incredible faith and loyalty to Genghis. Traditional Steppe allegiances were forged through blood and clan ties, and followers would abandon leaders who seemed unable to bring success, but Genghis and the Four Dogs thought differently. All four served Genghis loyally despite being from different tribes and families. Jelme and Qubilai both followed Genghis in his lost years and refused to abandon him. Additionally, all four men took part in the Baljuna Covenant in 1203 CE, when Genghiss followers reaffirmed their loyalty to him after he was betrayed by his ally Togrul.While they are now remembered for their violence, the Four Dogs perhaps should be better known for their loyalty to Genghis and each other. They typified the new ideas and way of thinking that saw Genghis turn the people of the Mongol Steppe into a nation that took on the world. In many ways, Jelme, Qubilai, Jebe, and Sbeedei exemplify the loyalty, discipline, honor, and brilliance that helped a man with humble origins overcome all odds to create one of the most renowned empires in history.