Part 14/15:
The Eurasian steppe has been both a cradle of barbarian conquests and a crucible forging some of history's greatest conquerors. It has functioned as a “spawn point,” continually producing groups that threaten or transform civilization—a dynamic resulting from its environment rather than any set civilization of its own.
In many ways, the steppe embodies a paradox: it is a land that produces destruction and chaos but also resilience, adaptability, and cultural richness. Its history exemplifies the cycle where the frontier—whether a physical border or a cultural one—can be both a source of innovation and a catalyst for devastation.