11. Centuries After His Death, Al-Saffah’s Ownage of His Enemies Was Copied by the Mongols
The Mongols were known not only for military prowess, but also for psychological warfare and symbolic acts of domination. One of the most vivid recorded examples is the Mongol practice of celebrating atop their captured enemies, often using them as furniture or humiliating props during feasts. The practice was not widespread in a literal sense across all Mongol campaigns.
However, it was significant enough to be noted in medieval chronicles, especially in connection with high-profile captives. A notable example comes from the aftermath of the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258. Some reports claim that Hülegü Khan and his commanders feasted atop a platform or floor laid over the bodies of surviving Abbasid nobles or soldiers, symbolically enjoying a victory while trampling their enemy’s former power.
