I am travelling with
my uncle Maffeo and my father Nicolo. They aren't surprised at all by the
things and people we see here. I know they have been here several times before,
but some things are just so strange that I can't help to wonder how they manage
not to stop and stare. I've been talking to Mongols every chance I get. I've
learned a lot about their culture in very little time. From what I can tell
they are very peaceful and kind, but I am still weary because of all the
stories I've heard on my way here. It is said that the Mongol army obliterated
the city of Urgench, apparently horses couldn't even graze there for years
after. Also I have heard that even though they are surprisingly tolerant of
other religions, their own beliefs are strange at best. They believe in a god
of the sky and evil spirits that mess with their people's lives. This religion
doesn't even play a major role in their lives. They hardly ever worship to this
sky god, in fact the evil spirits are more involved with these people than this
so called god. The Mongols are also extremely superstitious. They read fortunes
by throwing sheep bones in a fire and watching the cracks that form. Coming
from the Catholic church this is very new for me. I have met people of other
religions, but none so loose without many regulations or guidelines on how to
live. Which I guess makes sense because these people have no problem with
slaughtering thousands of innocents. I have also encountered what they call
paper money. I can understand the convenience of this, being a foreign
traveler, but I don't see how paper is worth the same amounts as gold. I have
also heard many horrifying stories about the great Genghis Kahn. The Mongols
tell them to me with smiles on their faces, where as I can barely hold down my
breakfast when I hear them. Genghis was a power hungry murderer. He would do
things just to use them as an excuse to go to war. One time he sent some men to
ask Un-khan for his daughters hand in marriage, knowing he would refuse. When
Un-khan refused as predicted, Genghis sent thousands of men to his city and
wiped it out killing everyone in it. From what I've heard so far on this trip,
I'm very apprehensive about going to meet Kublai Khan.
Now that I have seen
and experienced the Mongol empire first hand, I have realized that these
accounts of savagery are true, but in times of peace these people are
hospitable and friendly. The Mongols dance and sing to drums, fiddles, and
guitars. The craftsmanship of these instruments is not as good as what you
might find in Venice, but they make good music. The Mongols have also
introduced me to kumiss, which is their favorite drink. Often times they just
sit on the floor and drink bottle after bottle! I have enjoyed my stay thus
far, and although I was apprehensive of meeting Kublai Khan, I now know what a
great man he is. I feel that he trusts me because he sends me on important
trips and jobs. Now he lets me travel to where ever I want! I also greatly
admire the Mongol women, they know how to make things last! I've seen them make
butter that never sours, dry buttermilk so it never goes bad, and beat sheep's
fur into felt. The women also know how to hunt and fight, although this hardly
ever happens, if necessary they could ride into war with the men. I'm very
impressed with the capitol of the Mongol Empire. The streets are so wide and
straight! It is so easy to navigate and move around the city this way. In
Europe the streets are windy and narrow, so this was quite a pleasant surprise
for me when I first arrived. I visited Kublai Khan's summer palace a couple
months ago, and I can't even begin to describe it. It was the most grand and
elaborate palace I've ever seen. Kublai Khan uses this particular palace for
hunting. He actually has tame cheetahs that act as hunting dogs, they were
tame, but still they frightened me a little. Through my travels, I have been
able to visit some cities that fell to the might of the Mongols, and they
actually seem very content with living under Mongol rule. There is a governor
in each city to oversee affairs, but they do not tax the people too harshly, or
prevent them from practicing their own religion or aspects of their culture.
While writing back home to my mother, I've been informed that things custom to
the Mongol Empire have spread back home to Europe. My mother has written about
gunpowder and porcelain, both of which were foreign to me until I arrived here.
Kublai Khan does such a good job opening up trade that so many things have
spread from here back to Europe, and the other way around. I definitely
misjudged the Mongols, they may be ruthless, but there are so many great
aspects of their empire it's hard not to admire them.
I think that overall
the Mongols had a more positive than negative effect on history. They increased
trade by making the empire extremely safe for merchants and travelers. This
increase in trade spread ideas, products, and much more. The good relationship
between the Ilkhans who ruled the Middle East and the Great Khans who ruled
over China caused the two civilizations to influence each other through trade.
Chinese food and medicine were both heavily influenced by Middle Eastern
customs, and Chinese paintings styles are found in Persian paintings. The
Mongols made this type of cultural diffusion possible, and civilizations
learning from each other to improve their cultures is always good. After the
cities were conquered, the Mongols were actually very nice to them. They didn't
force any of their beliefs or customs on to those people, just like the Romans.
As the Roman Empire expanded they gave citizenship and special benefits to the
cities that were close to Rome. The Mongols also gave out benefits to certain
cities, and like the Romans they did not tax the people too heavily. Both
empires expanded very quickly often through war, and they both were very kind
to the cities after they became part of the empire. Also, these empires
revolutionized warfare. The Mongols were vicious, but very organized. The
troops were all categorized and broken down into big groups then smaller and
smaller groups just like the Roman armies. The Romans were also fierce warriors
and they were even more organized than the Mongols. Both empires made a lasting
impression on the world for the most part, what they left behind was good.
Works Cited:
Rugoff, Milton. Marco Polo's Adventures in China. New York:
American Heritage Pub.; Book Trade and Institutional Distribution by Harper
& Row, 1964. Print.
Yule, Henry. The Book of Ser Marco Polo the Venetian. Vol.
II. London: John Murray, 1903. N. pag. Marco
Polo Travels in China. Web. <http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/marcopolo.html>.
Jackson, Peter. History Today. Vol. 62. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N.
pag. History Reference Center. Web. <http://web.ebscohost.com/hrc/detail?vid=4&sid=4492c07f-8c02-4654-97b8-a588ca6dc5a1@sessionmgr4003&hid=4207&bdata=JnNpdGU9aHJjLWxpdmU=#db=khh&AN=79850642>.
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