Placing a high value on human life is a quite recent thing, back than nobody did that. The Western view of the Mongols is so distorted by ancient and modern "propaganda" that it is hard to get a objective view on them.
The funny thing is, while the Vikings are somehow romantized in media, despite being murserous pullagers and slavers (as opposed to normal Scandinavian folks), the Mongols still serve as this dark, evil barbarious outside menace. And that gies for China as well, just go watch Mulan...
> Placing a high value on human life is a quite recent thing
It's not something that suddenly appeared in the 18th century though. Rather it evolved over the centuries. Christianity and Islam did introduce some respect for human life through the concept of universal salvation. In the ancient times lives of most members of out groups were viewed as totally dispensable. During the middle ages that changed to some degree, generally mass murder and or enslavement of entire populations was frowned upon (even if still practiced on many occasions). And heathens were at least were offered the chance to convert before they became fair game.
Your opening sentence reminds me of all the "baby" gravestones you see in old cemeteries; they didn't even bother naming you until they were pretty sure you'd live. On the other hand, the final curse of the Pharaoh was everyone losing their first born son. I wonder if it was more about the damage to the family for them
Well scale matters just like literally anywhere else in human society. Small plane falls down in Brazil rainforest killing pilot? You won't even see it in your news. 350 people die via same way at once? News cycle won't let it go for few days, and its simply because people care much more.
I mean we talk about largest genocide in mankind's history, no amount of whataboutism is changing this simple fact and its all on contemporary mongols.
If Hitler's escapades killed 10 people overall he would be just a side note in history books as another questionable weirdo with grandiose plans.
well, they did show up deep in Europe and murder a lot of people, more than "usual", right? Sure the Europeans next showed up all over the world and did more things, but at least that would explain the shock?
The funny thing is, while the Vikings are somehow romantized in media, despite being murserous pullagers and slavers (as opposed to normal Scandinavian folks), the Mongols still serve as this dark, evil barbarious outside menace. And that gies for China as well, just go watch Mulan...