I Made the Weapon that Broke the Mongols
Summary
This episode investigates whether a Chinese crossbow could have killed Mongol Khan Möngke in 1259 by recreating the weapon from scratch. The host builds an authentic Song Dynasty crossbow using a 3D-printed trigger mechanism and walnut stock, comparing its power and accuracy to a 15th-century European model. Testing reveals the Chinese design delivers significantly higher kinetic energy due to its longer draw length, allowing it to penetrate chainmail and chest plates. Final tests against ballistic gel demonstrate the weapon’s lethal capability, confirming it could have plausibly taken down…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Rocket Mortgage
Sponsor: Avatar Fire and Ash on Disney+
Introduction: The Mongol Conquest and Chinese Crossbows
History: The Death of Mongke Khan
Historical Debate: Crossbow vs. Dysentery
Engineering: The Chinese Trigger Mechanism
Crafting: Carving the Crossbow Stock
Assembly: Mounting the Bow and Stringing
Testing: First Shots and Kinetic Energy
Comparison: Chinese vs. European Crossbows
Sponsor: Saleesim App
Analysis: Draw Weight and Siege Crossbows
Tactics: Crossbows vs. Mongol Bows
Sponsor: Rocket Mortgage
Sponsor: The Paper on Peacock
Weapon Variants: Repeating Crossbows and Poison
Testing: Armor Penetration Trials
Testing: Ballistic Gel and Lethality
Conclusion: Could a Crossbow Kill the Khan?
Sponsor: Monday.com
Sponsor: Progressive Insurance
Listen ad-free on Castria