Genghis Khan was born in Mongolia around the year of 1155, in the northern central area. He is known for being able to conquer a larger area of land and a bigger population than the Romans were able to accomplish in 4 centuries, in just 25 years with his horsemen. It is said that Genghis was born with a blood clot on his fist and in Mongol history that means he was destined to become a leader. At first he was named "Temujin" after a Tatar leader that his father, Yesukhei, captured. Yesukhei was the leader of the Borijin clan and they were more known for hunting rather than herding. Yesukhei kidnapped Temujin's young mother, Hoelun, then she and her new husband rode home for their wedding. She became Yesukhei second wife, and shortly after they had Yesukhei's second son Temujin. When Temujin was 9 his father took him to live with his bride's family. On the way back home, Yesukhei and Temujin encountered members of a rival tribe called the Tatar, who invited them to a peace meal, where he was poisoned for past problems against the Tatars. Once hearing about his father's death, Temujin returned home to claim his position as the clan chief, although the people of the clan refused to let him lead. Also they exiled the two wives of Yesukhei and his several children leaving them to die. The family scraped a living by eating roots, rodents, and fish. Temujin and his full brother Khasar grew to resent their eldest half-brother, Begter. They killed him, and as punishment for the crime, Temujin was seized as a slave. His captivity lasted more than five years. At 16, Temujin married Borte, which created an alliance between his tribe and the Konkirat. Soon after, Borte was kidnapped by another rival clan called the Merkit tribe and given to the chief as a wife. Temujin was able to rescue her and soon after she gave birth to her first son, Jochi. When Temujin was about 20, he was captured in a raid by former family allies, the Taichi'uts, and was temporarily enslaved. He escaped with the help of one of the capturers that felt bad for him and joined his brothers and several other clansmen to form a fighting unit. Temujin began his slow ascent to power by building a large army of more than 20,000 men.