This article is about the society of the Mongol Empire, with a particular emphasis on the Mongols within it. When the empire was at its largest extent these formed only a tiny proportion of the total population, and in the majority of respects, the many peoples inside the empire were allowed to continue their social customs. The Mongols living among them tended, like the foreign ruling class of other empires, to lead largely separate lives, although over time there was a considerable cultural influence. This was especially the case in Persia and China.