A review by leelulah
The Travels Marco Polo by Marco Polo
3.0
I have no idea why I had rated this one so low when I first marked it as read here, and I deeply regret it. The prologue is a small account of what will be seen next. Prisoner to the Genovese, Venetian traveler Marco Polo tells his adventures to someone who can write them for him. This book, with reason, inspired others such as Christopher Columbus and sparked controversy, some people doubted of its veracity.
His account of the Middle East is especially interesting, he describes plants, animals, customs and when he gets to the presence of Christians, there are very interesting episodes, here's a sample:
-Iran for he brings to the table an ancient tradition concerning the Magi, in which they alternatively saw the Child Jesus as of their own age, but only could see Him as a baby when they all entered together. At the same time, His receiving of the three gifts, revealed to them his Godly, Kingly and Healer nature.
They were given a talisman whose meaning they couldn't decipher, so they threw it to a well and from there, a never ending, sacred fire, was always employed for ritual purposes by the adorators of the fire who carried this tradition until today (Book 1, chapters 13 and 14) .
-Samarcan, a miracle involving persecuted Christians resisting to the Great Khan's nephew desire to give back the first stone of the temple of St. John the Baptist to the Muslims where a column remains suspended in the air as if the stone had never been taken. (Book 1, chapter 34)
-The tomb of St. Thomas, Apostle, in India, according to Marco Polo, venerated by both Christians and Muslims, who take him as someone of his own religion. Miraculous and medicinal effects are attributed to the ground. St. Thomas is reported to have appeared to cease the oppresion of a landlord. Also, to have died at the hands of a hunter.
Though the style can get a bit repetitive in short city descriptions, the featuring of astrology, magic, the story of Genghis Khan whose military fate is predicted in a quasi Biblical manner, and his descendants, along with the religion and customs of this kingdom make up for it.
Clearly, the monasticism of some Hindu sects fascinated them as much as the riches they sought to found. They also believe that by drinking mercury, such groups reach eternal life.
Also, here you'll find the legend of Siddharta Gautama, as well. Muslims are inclined to believe the tomb is that of Adam, and Marco Polo does not confirm either version, especially backed on Scripture
If you read this book, you'd think most of the Khan necessarily had friendly relationships with Christians and this is where narrative gets hardly believable.
Many of the peoples subjugated to the Khan practiced various kinds of idolatry, polygamy, cannibalism there was an emperor cult, just like in Rome, and there were other practices (such as the mandatory loss of virginity for women before marrying in Tibet, which soon turned into prostitution, of course) that the expansion of Christianity would've questioned and banned. The most I could find was that the Khan at Marco Polo's time banned circumcission among Muslims.
On the other hand, the story of Lop and the travelers getting lost in the desert by voices of the spirits that might lead them to a sure death also was very interesting (Book 1, chapter 39). the snakes with fore legs, (Book 2, chapter 49) probably could inspire a writer for a Gothic story, equal literary inspiration would have been provided by the story where men and women live in isles apart (Book, 3 chapter 31), or the hippogrif in Madagascar (Book 3, chapter 33).
The description of giraffes in Book 3, chapter 34 is really endearing. The worry in describing the lands although very primitively compared to modern geography and biology shows wonder before a new world and is a constant in this book.
His account of the Middle East is especially interesting, he describes plants, animals, customs and when he gets to the presence of Christians, there are very interesting episodes, here's a sample:
-Iran for he brings to the table an ancient tradition concerning the Magi, in which they alternatively saw the Child Jesus as of their own age, but only could see Him as a baby when they all entered together. At the same time, His receiving of the three gifts, revealed to them his Godly, Kingly and Healer nature.
They were given a talisman whose meaning they couldn't decipher, so they threw it to a well and from there, a never ending, sacred fire, was always employed for ritual purposes by the adorators of the fire who carried this tradition until today (Book 1, chapters 13 and 14) .
-Samarcan, a miracle involving persecuted Christians resisting to the Great Khan's nephew desire to give back the first stone of the temple of St. John the Baptist to the Muslims where a column remains suspended in the air as if the stone had never been taken. (Book 1, chapter 34)
-The tomb of St. Thomas, Apostle, in India, according to Marco Polo, venerated by both Christians and Muslims, who take him as someone of his own religion. Miraculous and medicinal effects are attributed to the ground. St. Thomas is reported to have appeared to cease the oppresion of a landlord. Also, to have died at the hands of a hunter.
Though the style can get a bit repetitive in short city descriptions, the featuring of astrology, magic, the story of Genghis Khan whose military fate is predicted in a quasi Biblical manner, and his descendants, along with the religion and customs of this kingdom make up for it.
Clearly, the monasticism of some Hindu sects fascinated them as much as the riches they sought to found. They also believe that by drinking mercury, such groups reach eternal life.
Also, here you'll find the legend of Siddharta Gautama, as well. Muslims are inclined to believe the tomb is that of Adam, and Marco Polo does not confirm either version, especially backed on Scripture
If you read this book, you'd think most of the Khan necessarily had friendly relationships with Christians and this is where narrative gets hardly believable.
Many of the peoples subjugated to the Khan practiced various kinds of idolatry, polygamy, cannibalism there was an emperor cult, just like in Rome, and there were other practices (such as the mandatory loss of virginity for women before marrying in Tibet, which soon turned into prostitution, of course) that the expansion of Christianity would've questioned and banned. The most I could find was that the Khan at Marco Polo's time banned circumcission among Muslims.
On the other hand, the story of Lop and the travelers getting lost in the desert by voices of the spirits that might lead them to a sure death also was very interesting (Book 1, chapter 39). the snakes with fore legs, (Book 2, chapter 49) probably could inspire a writer for a Gothic story, equal literary inspiration would have been provided by the story where men and women live in isles apart (Book, 3 chapter 31), or the hippogrif in Madagascar (Book 3, chapter 33).
The description of giraffes in Book 3, chapter 34 is really endearing. The worry in describing the lands although very primitively compared to modern geography and biology shows wonder before a new world and is a constant in this book.