Organization of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan it also strengthened Mongol society as a whole. Genghis Khan’s united Mongol nation formed the foundation of the largest continuous land empire ever known. A wise statesman, Genghis also established Mongolian-style democracy that respected the ethnic and cultural diversity of his Empire. His government left many long-lasting legacies: Genghis Khan preferred to rule through existing hierarchies, but where he was resisted he destroyed the existing aristocracy. Nevertheless, he created at the same time a rough meritocracy among the Mongols. Positions of honor were given on the basis of bravery in battle or outstanding loyalty, as opposed to the old system
Mongol invasion of the Latin Empire mission was a renewal of submission, since a new khan had been elected since 1242. The Latin Empire is not listed by William of Rubruck among the tributaries of the Mongol Empire, however, nor was Baldwin II excommunicated for accepting Mongol overlordship as Bohemond V of Antioch was. The Mongol invasion of the Latin Empire took place just a year before the Mongols' crushing victory over the Seljuks of Anatolia at the battle of Köse Dağ (26 June 1243). Although Baldwin II had negotiated an alliance with the Seljuks in 1241, the Byzantine emperor John III Vatatzes provided aid to