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The Venetian barbarian was apparently in the court of Kublai Khan for 17 years — I wouldn't really call that passing through nor random.
by spullara 12y ago
The Venetian barbarian was apparently in the court of Kublai Khan for 17 years — I wouldn't really call that passing through nor random.
- Turing_Machine 12y agoPolo describes (without claiming to have been there himself) a "Land of Darkness", rich in furs, which borders on "Great Rosia", the people of "Rosia" being Christians of the Greek (i.e., Orthodox) form. That sure seems to fit Siberia/Alaska.
- davidw 12y agoHad christianity spread that far east at that point in time? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberia#History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberia#History
- maaku 12y agoWhat you imply is correct. The Russian conquest of Siberia was basically enabled by the decline of Mongol influence, which necessarily post-dates Marco Polo's travels.
- Turing_Machine 12y agoHe doesn't say that the area itself is Christian, just that it borders on "Great Rosia", which is Orthodox Christian. He also describes "immense white bears" and dog sleds. Polo doesn't claim to have been there himself; he's relating stuff he's heard from the Chinese.