First Chinese Visitor Describes Medieval Europe // The Incredible Journey of Rabban Sawma (1287)

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Here we have the fascinating tale of Rabban Sawma, who made the journey all the way to English land from Beijing.

Translated from the Syriac by SIR E. A. WALLIS BUDGE.

Video actor and editor: David Kelly

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1. Meet with local sovereign
2. Talk about Jerusalem
3. Visit local churches
4. Spend the night in Akhet Khufu

LegionHimself
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I hope you realise that these episodes are immensely valuable works for human history and technology.

Never really in the past have humans had information like this so freely accessible at their fingertips on demand from any place.

This concept of being able to do that is incredibly valuable.

Thank you.

coastsouljah
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Rabban Sawma: we want to talk about the matter of Jerusalem.

Every single European monarch: you had my interest, but now you have my attention.

MaylocBrittinorum
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Rabban Bar Sawma: "Hail, King Francis!"
King Phillip of France: "Close enough I guess."

Torus
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It’s worth noting that the reason for the confusion of the cardinals regarding the Nestorian Christians is that the Western Catholic Church has essentially lost all contact with the Eastern Christians after the Muslims shattered the Sassanian Empire. They may have been aware (via the Byzantines and Crusader states) that the Caliphates moved most of the church hierarchy from Edessa to Baghdad, but at this point the West generally believed the Mongols had totally flattened the city, with no survivors. Most likely the framing of the cardinals’ question about which quarter of the world the delegation came from was that they were unsure if they were Copts, Greeks, Armenians or oyhers. Pæå

luxborealis
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I love how the French instantly committed their entire force to taking Jerusalem without question at the mere mention of the Holy City.

shawnboyett
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That is the journey of a lifetime, and he did it at an old age, imagine how crazy is that when he was sailing on the Italian Sea he saw a volcanic eruption and then when he arrived in Naples a war was happening and a new King took over and in a way he was Emissary of these news.

Geneolgia
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It just amazes me how aware these ancient peoples were of each other.

camrendavis
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Alternate video title: Man Has Very Nice Vacation

deathsheadknight
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5:27 ~ Mongolians discover the concept of noncombatants, 1282 (colourised)

Jacob-puzj
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Rabban Sawma was a from the Ongud tribe, it was one of the christian tribes of Mongols. The Ongud are mentioned in the Secret History of Mongols. They supported Genghis Khan and later Kublai Khan. If I'm not mistaken Rabban Sawma made his journey during Kublai's reign in Great Yuan. He probably spoke Mongolian or Turkic. I wonder how he communicated with these Kings and Emperors.

On the side, I can't say for certain that I have ever met someone from this tribe. I am Mongolian and my tribe is a contemporary of his maybe even older. I wonder if any Ongud people survive and identify with their tribe.

dbuyandelger
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Jesus, this man walked through more history than possibly any man alive.

Mongol Empire. Byzantines during arab invasion. Etna eruption. When Frsnce got its foothold in Naples, which is huhely important to the future Borgias, Medicis, and Machavelli. In italy when a Pope died. Goes to France and meets the dude who destroys the Templars and steals the Papacy. Meets Longshanks the dude who leads to William Wallace and Scottish independence. And sets up a future crusade the whole time.

Wow

mathewkeen
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The whole thing is very professional and business like, he had a difficult and important job to do and did it without messing around. Maybe there was another account about the food and drink and funny habits of the foreigners but this is for the official record.

jakedee
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So, when someone ask you why are you there, just ask them to see the churches and all of the relics. Instant friends with anyone.

JavierChiappa
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"We want to talk to you about Jerusalem."

*Continue*

gododoof
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This one was especially cool. I love these kinds of stories in fiction so knowing that these epic voyages into distant and different lands happened for real before the age of discovery is captivating.

DeathtoRaiden
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*Edward Longshanks:* "We have no subject of thought except [taking Jerusalem.]"

*The Scots:* _sweating profusely_

kostascmp
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Imagine what an adventure this was. Rabban Sawma was already well into his middle age when he started his pilgrimage. He could've retired and lived simply and easily back home, but he went out and traveled a decent chunk of the known world, meeting kings and seeing history. May we all strive to be a little more like him.

Polymathically
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Byzantine Emperor: How you feeling after that long journey man.
Nestorian Pilgrim: I feel great after looking upon your face your highness.

gododoof
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its litterally a dude writing about his badass vacation in europe

folfielukather