First, to understand how Ariq Boke was a viable candidate for Mongol rule and how he fit into the broader category of Mongol life, it is first imperative to understand the broad concept of its history. Ariq Boke was the fourth and youngest son of Tolui and Sorghaghtani, and thus was the grandson of Genghis Khan (Rossabi, 1988, page 19). Although the year of his birth is unknown, historians have confirmed that he died shortly after his failed attempt to gain the Mongol throne (Boyle, 1971, page 310). Furthermore, since he was the youngest son of Tolui, when Mongke left to conquer China, Ariq Boke was left in the Mongol homeland and placed at the head of the Mongol ulus (Boyle, 1971, page 224). Here Ariq Boke became accustomed to the nomadic life, unlike his older brothers who were used to traveling and saw the benefits of a sedentary life (Rossabi, 1988, page 47). Furthermore, at the time of Mongke's death, Ariq Boke was in the heart of the Mongol homeland and was essentially in control of not only the army left behind, but was also in charge of ruling the country while his older brother was away. . Therefore, in June 1260, after Monke's death, Ariq Boke challenged Khubulai's succession and was