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

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2020
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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.
    depts.washington.edu/silkroad...
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.2K

  • @deathsheadknight2137
    @deathsheadknight2137 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3296

    Alternate video title: Man Has Very Nice Vacation

    • @LegionHimself
      @LegionHimself 3 ปีที่แล้ว +230

      Rabban Sawma is very interested in your local churches.

    • @DahvPlays
      @DahvPlays 3 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      I would cut off both legs to get this guy's tourist experiences

    • @vanivanov9571
      @vanivanov9571 3 ปีที่แล้ว +98

      He even got to admire the European method of war.

    • @nackteHintern
      @nackteHintern 3 ปีที่แล้ว +57

      I'm 10 minutes in the video and there wasn't any real description of medieval Europe from chinese view. Just communications and "great cities". Your title fits more than the original one.

    • @LegionHimself
      @LegionHimself 3 ปีที่แล้ว +53

      nackteHintern Rabban describes nothing really. That’s the hilarious part.

  • @MaylocBrittinorum
    @MaylocBrittinorum 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1662

    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.

    • @brokoblin6284
      @brokoblin6284 3 ปีที่แล้ว +111

      Those are the magic words for free stuff

    • @devanis
      @devanis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      Rabban Sawma: Say great king philip
      Philip: Yes
      Rabban Sawma: I've heard you burned the templars to the stake is that true?
      Philip: funny rumors of course hahaha...........

    • @joutakujo9773
      @joutakujo9773 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      devanis those damn assassins cread games are getting to me.

    • @mpb6491
      @mpb6491 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ​@Lianhua Xin I used to be into the crusades (Thanks Assassin's Creed). but never did I read anything about ( besides territory) What Europeans actually gained from holding lands. interesting Now you've got me thinking. I honestly assumed my nation (England) to be to dumb at that point, to have such long trade routes and hold them without to much problem

    • @KageMinowara
      @KageMinowara 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@mpb6491 But non of the European kingdoms would have held the trade routes, even if they had conquered the whole of the Middle East. All the Crusader kingdoms were independent states that levied taxes and tolls for themselves.
      The reason why the Crusades were undertaken was the same reason the allies undertook World War Two. The Muslims were an aggressive power that had conquered half the Christian world over the previous 400 years and who were constantly raiding and enslaving Christians. The Crusades were defensive wars undertaken to check the power of a hostile neighbour who sought to conquer them.

  • @LegionHimself
    @LegionHimself 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1053

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

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 3 ปีที่แล้ว +69

      5. Cast off from Tura North and spend the day with the phyle.

    • @jonathanhicks5316
      @jonathanhicks5316 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      This one got me, that was a classic video.

    • @firewarrior776
      @firewarrior776 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Imagine becoming a meme in a few thousand years because of your diary.

    • @joych987
      @joych987 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Dont forget to meet inspector merer

    • @Zaire82
      @Zaire82 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@firewarrior776 Uh...
      Hopefully not, with the stuff I would write if I had a diary.

  • @Torus2112
    @Torus2112 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1279

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

    • @oneday341
      @oneday341 3 ปีที่แล้ว +269

      Rabban Bar Sawma: "Let us chat about Jerusalem"
      King Phillip if France: "War! Everyone, let's go! Mongols and France unite!"
      Rabban Bar Sawma: "Ummm, yeah...could I see you Churches?"
      ***Awkward Silence***
      Next day
      Rabban Bar Swama: "Is this the road to England?"

    • @joellaz9836
      @joellaz9836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +61

      oneday341
      That King Phillip was the one who annihilated the knights Templar in France oddly enough.

    • @Altrantis
      @Altrantis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +55

      @@joellaz9836 He's one of the most notorious french kings. Edward longshanks was one of the most notable of the english kings too, coincidentally.

    • @joellaz9836
      @joellaz9836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      Altrantis
      Yeah. I was thinking this guy is lucky to have met two of the most notable kings of the medieval age.

    • @xXxSkyViperxXx
      @xXxSkyViperxXx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      i think "Francis" here probably means France as in King of France

  • @millardfillmore2869
    @millardfillmore2869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1356

    So, hes reverse Marco Polo?

    • @AG-ig8uf
      @AG-ig8uf 3 ปีที่แล้ว +62

      Except Marco Polo probably never went past Persia, and just retold stories he heard as his own adventures.

    • @millardfillmore2869
      @millardfillmore2869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      A G Nah

    • @lpsp442
      @lpsp442 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Lopo Comar incarnate

    • @clitoralrosary9474
      @clitoralrosary9474 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      @@AG-ig8ufYour accusations are preposterous.

    • @briaormead4239
      @briaormead4239 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wasn't there a "marco polo bridge incident" between the japanese and the chinese right before ww2? Like i don't want to say marco polo has been to east asia or hasn't been but still. It could be named way after marco polo visited though.

  • @coastsouljah
    @coastsouljah 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2192

    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.

    • @i.george2321
      @i.george2321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      yeah this is why it needs to be burned. sry i ment treasured

    • @coastsouljah
      @coastsouljah 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @DRS_ au sincerely, for all our sakes, hope that isn't true.

    • @kite9096
      @kite9096 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is correct, I can confirm.

    • @bleachguy64
      @bleachguy64 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yeah it's really amazing that technology can just give us information and knowledge like this wherever for example I'm on the toilet taking a poop right now but I still get to hear a first-hand account of what medieval Europe appeared to a Chinese exporter

    • @jamesbond9975
      @jamesbond9975 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@bleachguy64 It's better to take poops while reading a book, just in case there isn't toilet paper.

  • @shawnboyett6816
    @shawnboyett6816 3 ปีที่แล้ว +816

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

    • @rzomg
      @rzomg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +132

      I wish French men were made of the same stuff today.

    • @aurelienmt310
      @aurelienmt310 3 ปีที่แล้ว +151

      @@rzomg wtf do you expect from me, taking Jérusalem ?

    • @FrenchViking466
      @FrenchViking466 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      rzomg Some still are

    • @redeye4516
      @redeye4516 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      There are, but they live in Louisiana.
      I don't know about Quebec, but they seem at least passive-aggressive on the matter of leaving Canada and becoming French citizens again.

    • @danielhalachev4714
      @danielhalachev4714 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@rzomg They are. It's just that they now fight over food.

  • @camrendavis6650
    @camrendavis6650 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1080

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

    • @davyotten601
      @davyotten601 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @buymebluepills kek

    • @FireurchinProductionsByzantium
      @FireurchinProductionsByzantium 3 ปีที่แล้ว +50

      Almost as if they lived on the same continent...

    • @alikhidzam3749
      @alikhidzam3749 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @@FireurchinProductionsByzantium they don't

    • @tigoid
      @tigoid 3 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      @@alikhidzam3749 the continent of Eurasia.

    • @makaveli4652
      @makaveli4652 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      Nothing ancient , 800 years back is fookin nothing .

  • @Jacob-pu4zj
    @Jacob-pu4zj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +61

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

    • @user_____M
      @user_____M 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Lmfao. What, you don't kill farmers to spread fear and confusion? Back in China 20 mil. dead peasants is just Thursday.

  • @Geneolgia
    @Geneolgia 3 ปีที่แล้ว +665

    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.

    • @LegionHimself
      @LegionHimself 3 ปีที่แล้ว +86

      Also the Pope died.

    • @Geneolgia
      @Geneolgia 3 ปีที่แล้ว +49

      @@LegionHimself oh yeah that too, what a crazy journey.

    • @xXxSkyViperxXx
      @xXxSkyViperxXx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      @@LegionHimself Mar Papa!

    • @TheLolol94
      @TheLolol94 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Oh well that would be usual administration for italians, you can't do without the emperor and the pope fighting or some italian states bickering every single day

    • @JackSndAceS
      @JackSndAceS 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yeah it would make a nice movie or mini series.

  • @luxborealis
    @luxborealis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +544

    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

    • @historyrepeat402
      @historyrepeat402 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yea very interesting (if perfectly true) that the question was phrased as which quarter of the world rather than which half of the world

    • @MerkhVision
      @MerkhVision 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@historyrepeat402 I think the word "quarter" here wasn't used in the sense of a numerical fourth of the world, but rather its other meaning denoting a specific area. Like they were basically asking what country or part of the world they were from.

    • @Archris17
      @Archris17 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @S Utter nonsense. The common man may have believed the Earth was flat, if given any reason to even think on it, but all educated men since the days of classical Greece knew that the Earth was round and even its size to within less than a hundred miles. 'Quarter' was meant to be a region, such as how cities may be divided into the 'royal quarter' 'merchants quarter' 'foreign quarter' and so on.

  • @folfielukather8083
    @folfielukather8083 3 ปีที่แล้ว +791

    its litterally a dude writing about his badass vacation in europe

    • @CostaCola
      @CostaCola 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I think I might have said this in the comments of another one of their videos but:
      Nice sona.

    • @folfielukather8083
      @folfielukather8083 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@CostaCola thank

    • @CostaCola
      @CostaCola 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@folfielukather8083 ^W^

    • @Starbat88
      @Starbat88 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Yes. Back in the days when a vacation in Europe was an extraordinary thing. And the books and reports you could write based on what you witnessed would be valued highly.

    • @dragonofepics7324
      @dragonofepics7324 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Folfie Lukather Rabban Sawma’s Excellent Adventure.

  • @mathewkeen2356
    @mathewkeen2356 3 ปีที่แล้ว +629

    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

    • @saretgnasoh7351
      @saretgnasoh7351 3 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      @Eduardo Morales pales my ass

    • @torinjones3221
      @torinjones3221 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      David Attenborough exists

    • @thomastakesatollforthedark2231
      @thomastakesatollforthedark2231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Eduardo Morales who?

    • @mathewkeen2356
      @mathewkeen2356 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @sick turrett So they left when he showed up. Or was I right all along?

    • @promenota9610
      @promenota9610 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Seljuks were not Arabs, they were Turks. Arabic attack on Constantinople was in 7th century. Last but not least, the Byzantian Empire was not under invasion, those parts had become Seljuk Empire like 1-2 centuries ago.

  • @dbuyandelger
    @dbuyandelger 3 ปีที่แล้ว +395

    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.

    • @luxborealis
      @luxborealis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +79

      He probably either spoke Greek (the Nestorians had a fair bit of cultural exchange with the Byzantine Church), which most high-level Christian scholars at least knew a little of, or he may have acquired a Greek-Muslim translator for translating from Greek to Latin, which was the lingua franca.

    • @6principlesforcartography61
      @6principlesforcartography61 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      Many Ongud were highly Sinonized during Yuan Dynasty and were using names in Chinese styles, so I guess many of them were assimilated by Han Chinese. Actually Ongud was a tribe that lived in the south of Gobi desert and had more contact with agricultural people. They even served as guards of the Great Wall for Jin Dynasty before they join Genghis Khan (which is the reason why Mongols could easily penetrate the Great Wall defenses during their war against Jin Dynasty).

    • @aw854
      @aw854 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      Onguds are in Inner Mongolia, around the area they historically lived in had cultural remnants of their Nestorian past, even though they became Tibetan Buddhists. Also, Queen Mandukhai was from Ongud tribe.

    • @raguelelnaqum
      @raguelelnaqum 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Not really as an independent people, but descendants of the Onguds are both some of the Last Nestorians/Logosophics and Manichees remaining in the country in the modern era

    • @boshengjones1778
      @boshengjones1778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

      @@luxborealis He spoke perfect persian. Mongol/turkic being his native tongue, while having complete mastery over han chinese. His greek or latin would be very limited, if any at all. But persian/greek or latin translator are plenty to come by in the near east. His record in han chinese is limited, thus he never came to anyone's attention until fairly recently by historians of our time. Because most of his stories were kept in the old syrian script - in good condition, just most people didnt know how to read it, or cared enough to read it. Certainly its not easy to find a chinese scholar who could read old syrian.

  • @JavierChiappa
    @JavierChiappa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +160

    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.

    • @ras573
      @ras573 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Basically asking a kid to show you his toys.

  • @gododoof
    @gododoof 3 ปีที่แล้ว +673

    "We want to talk to you about Jerusalem."
    *Continue*

    • @Dayvit78
      @Dayvit78 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Ah, but first, show me Notre Dame. And the Eiffel Tower. I really am a diplomat, not a tourist, trust me.

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      @@Dayvit78 The French replied that the Eiffel Tower would not be built for another 600 years.

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@Dayvit78 to be fair, this was a pilgrimage, and visiting sites of religious renown was part and parcel of absorbing the essence of what was known about Jesus in the land of the Franks. Europeans take relics and put them into their museums. East Asians take notes and display them for the public. I'm actually not sure which one is more intrusive. But one of them seems to be sanctioned by both parties as legal.

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tombingham7455
      Huh? Where did this talk about the fake Jerusalem come from? What are you talking about?
      That kinda came out of the blue. What are you trying to say?

    • @tombingham7455
      @tombingham7455 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@zhouwu Pardon me, I didn’t mean to erase the comment.
      Now to answer your question. Now this isn’t a popular concept, so I understand if you don’t believe it at first.
      The real Jerusalem fell a long time ago. What you see now is nothing short of a copy. The site was never in the Middle East.

  • @gododoof
    @gododoof 3 ปีที่แล้ว +556

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

    • @danielmartins4684
      @danielmartins4684 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

      I think he meant upon looking at the image of the king of the christians (christian king), jesus. (maybe idk)

    • @stolasish1184
      @stolasish1184 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      *insert suggestive face emoticon*

    • @gongfutaijimy
      @gongfutaijimy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      Byzantine Emperors were Christian and considered half holy. Constantinople was the center of the East Orthodox Church at the time.

    • @JavierChiappa
      @JavierChiappa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @Tiago de Mello I feel great after looking upon your comment your highness

    • @midshipman8654
      @midshipman8654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      he was a real charmer wasnt he.
      i bet the emperor blushed.

  • @liv0whatever
    @liv0whatever 3 ปีที่แล้ว +438

    King Phillip: I will back you with the full force of France to take the holy city
    Rabban sawma: ummm yeah I'm really just here to see the Notre Dame

    • @bottomtext
      @bottomtext 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      lmao

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      He had a lot of foresight. Got there before it got burnt down. Good job!

    • @empereur_du_congoeddy-malo2286
      @empereur_du_congoeddy-malo2286 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

      Chinese tourist befor it become mainstream

    • @gerardjagroo
      @gerardjagroo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Both the French and the Mongols were formidable. I would not for a million ducats be in the shoes of the Muslim holder of Jerusalem if both the French and Mongols attack

    • @moneyn100
      @moneyn100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ironic considering he wiped out the knights Templar the guy was basically the first Scrooge mcduck

  • @jakedee4117
    @jakedee4117 3 ปีที่แล้ว +225

    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.

    • @mattia1026
      @mattia1026 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@donq2957 You mean a Decameron? I don't know if all countries can come up with dozens of interesting stories though.

    • @rheinhartsilvento2576
      @rheinhartsilvento2576 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Right, that pretty much sums it up

  • @asterixs259
    @asterixs259 3 ปีที่แล้ว +380

    Everyone: "whom has send thee"
    The English: "whO Are yOu!?"

    • @aaronthoming8192
      @aaronthoming8192 3 ปีที่แล้ว +93

      Little known fact: "you" was actually formal and "thou" infomal. So I guess the English were doing it with class.

    • @galenusv7831
      @galenusv7831 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      I don't know why but I read it in a cockney accent

    • @James-ip8xs
      @James-ip8xs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      @@galenusv7831 "WhO THa FacK R U m8?"

    • @d.a.g.c961
      @d.a.g.c961 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Iam yu

    • @xenotypos
      @xenotypos 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@aaronthoming8192 Except the english kings at the time didn't speak English.
      So no formal you sadly.

  • @leaderunith4l324
    @leaderunith4l324 3 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    “So about Jerusale-“
    France: “Yes”

  • @couchpotatoe91
    @couchpotatoe91 3 ปีที่แล้ว +322

    Imagine sitting on a rooftop and watching a medieval battle for entertainment.

    • @duskworker8469
      @duskworker8469 3 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      Inhabitants of European cities would set up on a hillside like a picnic to watch the battles in the Napoleonic era too! Crazy

    • @dinosaurcj
      @dinosaurcj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

      @@duskworker8469 In the American Civil War that happened quite a few times as well.

    • @mrfunnyperson100
      @mrfunnyperson100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      That’s actually a plot point for War and Peace:
      th-cam.com/video/tEY2DsigZ6s/w-d-xo.html
      Since battle largely consisted of formations, the biggest danger would be roaming patrols of light cavalry, who may or may not respect that you are civilians depending on time and era.

    • @EvsEntps
      @EvsEntps 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@mrfunnyperson100 Yeah don't hang around a battle during the Thirty Years War as a civilian.

    • @jordanwhitney5817
      @jordanwhitney5817 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Yeah, but imagine being shocked that the French army didn't kill civilians in it's combat. That tells you how brutal midieval china was

  • @kostas225cmp
    @kostas225cmp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +296

    *Edward Longshanks:* "We have no subject of thought except [taking Jerusalem.]"
    *The Scots:* _sweating profusely_

    • @Simonsvids
      @Simonsvids 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      And us Welsh!

    • @sangralknight3031
      @sangralknight3031 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Around this time one of Edward's sons or brothers was actually preparing or engaged in a crusade I think. So it makes sense.

  • @FwendlyMushwoom
    @FwendlyMushwoom 3 ปีที่แล้ว +130

    *Arrives in a new city*
    Rabban Sawma: "Y'all got any CHURCHES I can see?"

    • @Dayvit78
      @Dayvit78 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      To be honest, that's what I do too

    • @mrDjuroman
      @mrDjuroman 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Literally me

  • @greatwolf5372
    @greatwolf5372 3 ปีที่แล้ว +230

    Nestorian Christianity had a long history in China and Central Asia beginning in the 7th century. It's very sad that this ancient school of Christianity has been mostly forgotten and is now only practiced in a small region of Iraq called Assyria.

    • @daithiocinnsealach3173
      @daithiocinnsealach3173 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Nothing lasts forever.

    • @yaqo6577
      @yaqo6577 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      @@daithiocinnsealach3173 well we've lasted til now ;)

    • @greatwolf5372
      @greatwolf5372 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      @@yaqo6577 Are you Assyrian? Lots of respect to you guys

    • @yaqo6577
      @yaqo6577 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@greatwolf5372 I appreciate the kind words bro. Heres Assyrian warrior Beneil Dariush representing us in the UFC just a minute ago 👊 www.reddit.com/r/MMA/comments/i6ay03/spoiler_beneil_dariush_vs_scott_holtzman/

    • @folfielukather8083
      @folfielukather8083 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      theres a HUGE assyrian church in my hometown in california, its really cool

  • @DeathtoRaiden1
    @DeathtoRaiden1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +261

    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.

    • @digitalbrentable
      @digitalbrentable 3 ปีที่แล้ว +47

      I like how all these historical Kings are like "who dis?" and he's like "Christian pilgrim from far east, wanna talk about Jerusalem and show me your churches?" and every single one is just delighted and rolls out the red carpet.

    • @markmayonnaise1163
      @markmayonnaise1163 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@digitalbrentable It wasn't every day somebody from such a distant place would make it to Christian civilization

    • @Purpless_ON
      @Purpless_ON 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@digitalbrentable Its wonderful news as a Christian yo hear your faith in the lord had reached the ends of the earth. At the time.

  • @gardenlizard1586
    @gardenlizard1586 3 ปีที่แล้ว +449

    People forget that Christianity went east as it did west.

    • @gardenlizard1586
      @gardenlizard1586 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @Johannes Terzis true

    • @moonshadow7057
      @moonshadow7057 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Johannes Terzis yes, anyone from Europe who read the Bible and thinks it’s all about them, need to improve their reading comprehension...

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @Johannes Terzis There's East (Jerusalem) and then there's East (China). Jerusalem might well be further from China than it is from Europe. And let's not forget that Jesus is still contentious, especially among His own people, with His own relatives.

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @MARK Antoninus
      Let me just assume you're a brother in the Lord.
      Let's leave this world and all its holdings. What use are they for us?
      We're strangers and sojourners here, like our father Abraham.
      If they want to kick us out and return to worship stones and wood and gold and silver and such like, and become like the lifeless things they worship, with eyes, but cannot see, with ears, but cannot hear, with a mouth, but cannot speak, with feet, but cannot walk, even if we reasoned with them, they will still do so. Therefore, whatever they sow, let them reap.
      The return of our Lord approaches. The days are getting darker, so our shining presence will get brighter.
      By their own tongues, they confess they are defendants of the vanquished foes. If they, therefore, pick up the rebellion of their ancestors, then they are continuing their transgressions.
      For God has already established His King on the Heavenly Mount Zion. The Decree has gone out, and God shall not Repent.
      Why then do the nations rage and the peoples plot a vain thing? Our Lord has them all in derision.
      The Righteous, Sinless One, they crucified, and raise up their voices with His murderers.
      The god of this age has blinded the eyes of the unbelievers, that they should not see the Glory that illuminates from the Face of our Lord. A Light brighter than the sun in radiance, for it is the Face of God Himself, piercing the divide between the human spirit and the human soul.
      Mystery of mysteries, God Himself has entered into human history. On Earth, a Stranger. Always in danger. Yet, even in death, He comes out Victorious, smelling not only of roses, but also Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh!

    • @dlyd1012
      @dlyd1012 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Johannes Terzis True. With the rise of christianity we lost our roots. Are you greek?

  • @Polymathically
    @Polymathically 3 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    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.

    • @johnandrez
      @johnandrez 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yes, what struck me is that both the eastern Roman Emperor and the Khan remark about how tired Bar Sawma looked. It was certainly an adventure, but not the easy globe treks that some of the more affluent in today's society often make. It's really sobering to me that adventures back then took a toll on your body!

  • @crocve
    @crocve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +272

    Do a reading of the Pilgrimage of Egeria, the oldest account of a personal christian pilgrimage (late 4th century).

    • @savioblanc
      @savioblanc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That too a woman

    • @jamesr.g.2320
      @jamesr.g.2320 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      One of the most beautiful works

  • @thegatorhator6822
    @thegatorhator6822 3 ปีที่แล้ว +307

    People complaining about cultural appropriation when they see two people sharing their cultures should have to watch these videos of people almost 1000 years ago being more progressive than them.

    • @hydrolifetech7911
      @hydrolifetech7911 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

      @@levitatingoctahedron922 you and those who complain of cultural appropriation have the same mindset. Technology can't be definitively attributed to one place or people. It is the product of small improvements and additions from many peoples throughout our time on this planet

    • @Yingyanglord1
      @Yingyanglord1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@levitatingoctahedron922 Depends on the tech, Iron working hails from sub saharen africa for instance and a lot of tech requires that knowledge

    • @Yingyanglord1
      @Yingyanglord1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@levitatingoctahedron922 "At Oboui they excavated an undated iron forge yielding eight consistent radiocarbon dates of 2000 BC. This would make Oboui the oldest iron-working site in the world,"

    • @Yingyanglord1
      @Yingyanglord1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      "The Lebombo bone from the mountains between Swaziland and South Africa may be the oldest known mathematical artifact.[24] It dates from 35,000 BCE and consists of 29 distinct notches that were deliberately cut into a baboon's fibula."

    • @Yingyanglord1
      @Yingyanglord1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      "Anthropologist Peter Schmidt discovered through the communication of oral tradition that the Haya in Tanzania have been forging steel for nearly 2000 years. This discovery was made accidentally while Schmidt was learning about the history of the Haya via their oral tradition. He was led to a tree which was said to rest on the spot of an ancestral furnace used to forge steel. When later tasked with the challenge of recreating the forges, a group of elders who at this time were the only ones to remember the practice, due to the disuse of the practice due in part to the abundance of steel flowing into the country from foreign sources. In spite of their lack of practice, the elders were able to create a furnace using mud and grass which when burnt provided the carbon needed to transform the iron into steel. Later investigation of the area yielded 13 other furnaces similar in design to the recreation set up by the elders. These furnaces were carbon dated and were found to be as old as 2000 years, whereas steel of this caliber did not appear in Europe until several centuries later.[62][63]
      Two types of iron furnaces were used in Sub-Saharan Africa: the trench dug below ground and circular clay structures built above ground. Iron ores were crushed and placed in furnaces layered with the right proportion of hardwood. A flux such as lime sometimes from seashells was added to aid in smelting. Bellows on the side would be used to add oxygen. Clay pipes on the sides called tuyères would be used to control oxygen flow."

  • @sdsd2e2321
    @sdsd2e2321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +268

    "Italian Sea"
    Mussolini: Yes.

    • @0MVR_0
      @0MVR_0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Mussolini hardly represents peak Italo-nationalism.

    • @sdsd2e2321
      @sdsd2e2321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@0MVR_0 ok jogga

    • @0MVR_0
      @0MVR_0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Consider the fact that Italy already counts the surrounding environs as 'Mare Nostrum'.

    • @spartanalex9006
      @spartanalex9006 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Furious HMS Warspite noises.

    • @nomore9004
      @nomore9004 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      噢嗎ØMVЯ
      then how deep does that Italo-nationalism go?

  • @kaloarepo288
    @kaloarepo288 3 ปีที่แล้ว +77

    There was a long standing legend in medieval Europe called "Prester John" -it was believed that there was a powerful Christian monarch somewhere in the East and one of the motives for the portuguese and other explorations was to find this monarch and enlist him in the fight against Muslims.The empire of Abyssinia a Christian power,was thought to be it at one stage but it probably refers to the Mongols many of whom were Nestorian Christians,including I believe one of the wives of Genghis Khan and key generals who were her offspring.

    • @hedgehog3180
      @hedgehog3180 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Wasn't Prester John usually believed to live in Africa? And isn't it generally accepted that the "real" version of that was Ethiopia?
      AFAIK the legend originates with Christian Egypt and the knowledge that Christianity had spread further south but that contact had been severed by the expanse of Islam.

  • @johnandrez
    @johnandrez 2 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    What I loved was the fact that, despite Bar Sawma being 'Nestorian' and formally considered to be part of a sect considered heretical to the western Latin Christian princes, as well as to the Roman Emperors alike, and yet, the King of England still asked him to lead in offering the sacrifice of the Eucharist. They would've been used to the Mass in Latin, but they must've been fascinated as this Asian man began to chant the prayers and psalms in Syriac! I think most traditionalists in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches today would find such ecumenism unacceptable.

  • @jurisprudens
    @jurisprudens 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    5:28 - Interesting observation. So, to a Chinese, the European medieval wars looked quite tame!

    • @alanOHALAN
      @alanOHALAN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Comparing to Mongolian wars.

    • @MrSafior
      @MrSafior 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I don't think he would have think that if he was present during the Albigensian crusade.

    • @jurisprudens
      @jurisprudens 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MrSafior I don’t think there is a reason to believe the Albigensian crusade was significantly different from other medieval wars

    • @MrSafior
      @MrSafior 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@jurisprudens No even back in the day, the violence of the crusade were shocking.
      Especially the massacre of Béziers.

    • @jurisprudens
      @jurisprudens 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@MrSafior My impression is that the massacre of Beziers, because of how shocking it was even at the time, came to be associated in the public mind with the entire Albigensian crusade. Which is probably not a right association.
      The Albigensian crusade was bloody, for sure, as the local Cathar civilians put up a stiff resistance. Still, i wonder it would be as shocking in comparison to Mongolian wars

  • @zahzuhzay6533
    @zahzuhzay6533 3 ปีที่แล้ว +121

    I just read a book talking about this guy. Also, for those using the term "Nestorian" that's a misnomer. Its better to call this denomination, "The Church of the East" as they called themselves. It is also due that Nestor became increasingly irrelevant in their theology and liturgy plus if I remember correctly in a councip they upholded a Christology that is not Nestorian.

    • @theEtch
      @theEtch 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      who is nestor?

    • @midshipman8654
      @midshipman8654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      maybe say church of the east/nestorian?
      seeing as Nestorian is by far the more commonly recognizable word even if it may not exactly be correct from a in denominational perspective. like how we still use the word byzantine even though it was not often used within the empire itself, or how the muslims often called the catholic crusaders franks even though many were not actually Frankish.

    • @SCHMALLZZZ
      @SCHMALLZZZ 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought it was weastorian?

    • @nakenmil
      @nakenmil 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Calling them Nestorian is a bit like calling the Catholic Church "The Petrine", because the apostolic succession of the Roman church was founded by St. Peter. I mean, it's not entirely incorrect, it's just kinda arbitrary.

    • @midshipman8654
      @midshipman8654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Enthused Norseman yah, but the big difference here is that “nestorian” is the more widely known term from a western perspective. so from a perspective of plain recognizability there is that.

  • @SA-rb5xq
    @SA-rb5xq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    This is one of the best channels on TH-cam. Nuff said.

  • @chocodoco4855
    @chocodoco4855 3 ปีที่แล้ว +148

    I have come here to discuss the matter of...
    ...
    ***looks around***
    ...
    ...Jerusalem...

  • @Velkan1396
    @Velkan1396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    Magnífic.
    I'd like to see what Christians and Muslims who traveled to each other's lands had to say.
    Love this channel.

    • @SCHMALLZZZ
      @SCHMALLZZZ 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You mean like the Moores and Spanish?

    • @Velkan1396
      @Velkan1396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@SCHMALLZZZ yeh, or the germans/Hungarians/balkans anda the turks

    • @joellaz9836
      @joellaz9836 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Velkan
      It makes me wonder how Christian kings in Middle Ages Europe would greet a Muslim traveller. Would they still be really nice?

    • @Velkan1396
      @Velkan1396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@joellaz9836 in Iberia, Christian kingdoms would ally with the moors to fight with other Christians

    • @jurisprudens
      @jurisprudens 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      William of Tyre gave some observations in a previous video. ;)

  • @JohnSmith-il6kk
    @JohnSmith-il6kk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    Incredible! Especially given how dangerous the long journey must be!

    • @Vitalis94
      @Vitalis94 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      During the Mongol rule, the Silk Road was as safe as it could've possibly be, though.

    • @LegionHimself
      @LegionHimself 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      The Italian sea was the most awful part apparently

    • @joellaz9836
      @joellaz9836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I’m impressed they didn’t encounter any thieves or highwaymen along their journey. It seemed safer than I thought it would be.

    • @JohnSmith-il6kk
      @JohnSmith-il6kk 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Plus disease, injury and accidents along the route!

    • @grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic6379
      @grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic6379 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@JohnSmith-il6kk plus berber pirates

  • @Leo-us4wd
    @Leo-us4wd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    Egyptian description of trades with the Minoans

    • @georget8008
      @georget8008 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Is there any?

    • @Peasant_of_Pontus
      @Peasant_of_Pontus 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @Ooki Cooki To be fair, papyrus doesn't keep well compared to stone tablets, parchment or even regular paper.

    • @qus.9617
      @qus.9617 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Peasant_of_Pontus *Cuneiform flex*

    • @JBGARINGAN
      @JBGARINGAN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Peasant_of_Pontus what about the hieroglyphics on the walls? Those are much better than the papyrus paper and I'd argue just as good as clay tablets. We still have modern examples of both. The Rosetta Stone a stone tablet is what helped us translate their long lost language. Not many people these days know that the modern people of Egypt are not the ancient people of Egypt, they are Arabs and speak Arabic. They really should. Don't wanna end up doing the Egyptian walk dance in front of an Arab Egyptian and getting yelled at. 😲

    • @Peasant_of_Pontus
      @Peasant_of_Pontus 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@JBGARINGAN You're not gonna find mercanticle journals or stories written on temple walls mate, just some religious/dynastic stuff.

  • @VojislavMoranic
    @VojislavMoranic 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    This is just beautiful.

  • @athanaricwilhelmsson
    @athanaricwilhelmsson ปีที่แล้ว +11

    "Meanwhile Rabban Sawma and his companions sat upon the roof the mansion in which they lived, and they admired the way in which the Franks waged war for they attacked none of the people except those who were actually combatants".
    What an absolutely beautiful way to put the nail on the coffin of the idea of Medieval depravity in war. This TH-cam channel is a treasure of valuable sources!

    • @Andrej-tt1yi
      @Andrej-tt1yi 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      except it absolutly doesnt. European chroniclers say that in later june the aragonese started ravaging the countryside. WhenRabban Sawma already left for rome.

  • @jamesr.g.2320
    @jamesr.g.2320 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    Very proud to be part of this ancient church that has such an amazing history, legacy, and contributions to mankind, unfortunately forgotten by most of the world now.

  • @SilverforceX
    @SilverforceX 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    What an amazing journey, to go so far, distant kingdoms, witnessing volcano eruption and war being waged in the field.. Yet wherever he went, he was well received. A testament to the humanity in ALL of us.

  • @prs_81
    @prs_81 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    For a Chinese man to see these things must be like having visited another planet. Remember, there was no internet or media back then. He had no idea what Europe would look like.

    • @vukanraznatovic2452
      @vukanraznatovic2452 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks for the info.

    • @joellaz9836
      @joellaz9836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Parsya o_o
      I’m surprised he didn’t comment more on what he saw, but he had already lived in foreign lands like Baghdad, so it must not have been all that strange seeing other foreign lands as he was probably use to it.

    • @carpediem6431
      @carpediem6431 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      When Marco Polo came back west, he said that he would describe the things had seen but people would scarcely believe him.

    • @EricBarbman
      @EricBarbman 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      no internet ?

    • @ojc8902
      @ojc8902 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "bro...

  • @paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522
    @paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I wished he described more of the architecture and clothing. Its so fascinating to see comparisons made by people of the time

  • @doncolasanti9487
    @doncolasanti9487 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    5:03
    Irid probably comes from Italians calling them something like "Il Re" (the king) and Shardalo comes from the Charles, likely pronounced in the French Fashion (Sharlay) as French was his native toungue, whereas King James of Aragon, Irid Arkon, might have has his name spoken in some form of Latin "iaco" (yawko) for those wondering why the names seems so disimilar

    • @diansc7322
      @diansc7322 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      or maybe Arkon is from Aragon

  • @ivohop
    @ivohop 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    This is the closest possible experience one could imagine to being there, a time machine of sorts if you wish, whereby the narrator perfectly captures the setting and epochs of discovery through primary sources.
    The word is used too often nowadays where it has lost some of its esteem, but this was "epic".

  • @thatsnodildo1974
    @thatsnodildo1974 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    It amazes me how far and how well he seems to have communicated with peoples he never even met before. People who say ancient people are dumb dont ever look closer at this kind of stuff

  • @johnnyunderhillproductions8346
    @johnnyunderhillproductions8346 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Wow, I was really expecting some terrible twist or something, but it really sounds like this man had an amazing journey. I am pleasantly surprised, honestly this kind of stuff makes my day.

  • @Liphted
    @Liphted 3 ปีที่แล้ว +75

    I love how he describes Christianity in the land of the Franks.

    • @lam1991hahaha
      @lam1991hahaha 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      The Chinese still called Europeans Franks when they met the Portuguese in the 1500s

    • @JBGARINGAN
      @JBGARINGAN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@lam1991hahaha and when they greeted the British ambassador just before the first Opium War they addressed him in Latin. Because that was the language they had used to communicate with the people from the west since their first contact with the Romans. I like to joke that that's why the British got mad and declared the Opium War, not because of the tea and opium, but because the ambassador was offended that the Chinese thought that the British were Catholics by talking to him in Latin. (If you don't get it it's because they were protestants)

    • @kaloarepo288
      @kaloarepo288 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@lam1991hahaha Thais call Europeans "Ferenghi" which comes from "Frank" I believe.The matter is very similar to the word for "Greek" in many middle eastern and even far eastern languages-it's Yunan -or some similar word and it comes from the fact that the first Greeks that Middle Eastern cultures came into contact with were the Ionian Greeks who colonized what the coastal areas of what is now Turkey.Even the ancient Indians called the Greeks "Javana." as does the Bible in original Hebrew.

    • @kaloarepo288
      @kaloarepo288 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@JBGARINGAN How did the Chinese know how to speak Latin -I would presume because of the famous highly educated Jesuit missionaries who were trying to convert the Chinese to Catholicism and almost succeeded in converting the emperor at one stage but Rome was too intransigent in insisting that converted Chinese use Latin and become europeanized as well as christianized.It's called "The rites controversy.

    • @alanOHALAN
      @alanOHALAN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@kaloarepo288 There were probably Italian priests who spoke Latin and were living in China, and they taught Chinese priests to read Latin Bible.

  • @jeffersonp402
    @jeffersonp402 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    By far, this is the BEST TH-cam channel for history related content. Thanks for getting through MANY days at work 🤘

  • @peashooter8228
    @peashooter8228 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That was beautiful. And your calm and discriptive voice made it so smooth and easy to hear. Thank you.

  • @ionidhunedoara1491
    @ionidhunedoara1491 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The Nestorians spoke Eastern Aramaic both as part of the liturgy and as a lingua franca for communicating with other Christians.

  • @JoeSmith-sl9bq
    @JoeSmith-sl9bq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    He sounds like a great fellow, I’m happy things turned out so good for him

  • @toddfromwork8931
    @toddfromwork8931 3 ปีที่แล้ว +116

    Rabban Bar Sawma: "OMG you guys, I just saw 12,000 people die!"
    All of China: "Those are rookie numbers"

    • @TheCsel
      @TheCsel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      but wait... They only killed the soldiers and not EVERYONE!
      China: Oh wow.... you can do that?

    • @LordLobov
      @LordLobov 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheCsel ? That's not uncommon in Chinese history either

    • @alanOHALAN
      @alanOHALAN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@TheCsel The Han Chinese don't kill civilians. The Mongol army did that. He was ethnically Chinese but lived with the Mongols.

    • @alanchen8272
      @alanchen8272 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alanOHALAN That's wrong. Killing a city with all its civilians is common in ancient China.

    • @alanchen8272
      @alanchen8272 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@alanOHALAN Even in Chinese classic romance of three kingdoms, you can say this act very frequently.

  • @jimbob3332
    @jimbob3332 3 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    I need '3 Historical Accounts of Chickens Wearing People Clothes // Primary Sources' as the next video or I will cry

    • @VoicesofthePast
      @VoicesofthePast  3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      Absolute yes 👍

    • @brandonvistan7444
      @brandonvistan7444 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I'm crying because he didn't make that video already.

    • @red_light_3937
      @red_light_3937 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Voices of the Past ...I feel like I’m missing something here...take your time as always, but also please make this video...

  • @pbuk9654
    @pbuk9654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Keep up the great videos. I love all of these. Can't get enough of this.

  • @sagacious03
    @sagacious03 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely storytelling! Thanks for uploading!

  • @yokai_G
    @yokai_G 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Beautiful clear reading 😊, very enjoyable.Thank you

  • @thorpeaaron1110
    @thorpeaaron1110 3 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    Can you do a video on Captain John Smith's 1612 account of the Powhatan Indians

  • @jrrollins84
    @jrrollins84 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I find this story very touching. You read it very well, thank you.

  • @SawSaw-ul8xu
    @SawSaw-ul8xu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A Beautiful story, that fills my heart with joy and gladness.

  • @ballsack6547
    @ballsack6547 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just found this channel , love all things history , gives different insight than most. Well done .

  • @stephenwilhelm
    @stephenwilhelm 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    A joint Crusade on Jerusalem by Europe and the Mongols. That would make for some interesting alternate history.

    • @valkorion8958
      @valkorion8958 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They did actually, I don't remember full details but the Christians made a small alliance with the Mongols upon their arrival in the Middle East. Pretty sure it was with one of Genghis Khans sons.

  • @CartersKidsSteveInTheEve
    @CartersKidsSteveInTheEve 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Best primary source reading yet!

  • @Kitsune-kun663
    @Kitsune-kun663 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love this channel so much. Thanks for this amazing work, guys

  • @TheOhgodineedaname
    @TheOhgodineedaname 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, I recall commenting you should do a video on this guy. Glad you did!

  • @cartesian_doubt6230
    @cartesian_doubt6230 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    For anyone wondering, "It is meet" is an archaic way of saying "It is right".

  • @RichMitch
    @RichMitch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    What an absolute *mission* from deepest China to Europe. Fair play

    • @joshlewis575
      @joshlewis575 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      On horse, holy shit that's tough

    • @RichMitch
      @RichMitch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@joshlewis575 arse of granite

    • @Halera-
      @Halera- 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It says he was an ambassador from Arghun, the ruler of the Ilkhanate (which spawned around Persia). Although Rabban Sawma (as I understand) was himself a Mongol from Mongolia, the mission didn't start in China.

    • @tiffanyhendricks1860
      @tiffanyhendricks1860 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      LazCiS he was born in what is now modern day Beijing. Technically they’re posthumously correct.

    • @Halera-
      @Halera- 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tiffanyhendricks1860 As if place of birth determined one's nationality.

  • @pbuk9654
    @pbuk9654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love your videos but I love your humor during the promo stuff even more.

  • @cspaceinfinity0116
    @cspaceinfinity0116 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks, love your videos this one sounded relaxing

  • @StudioArtFX
    @StudioArtFX 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    "Hey! Let's sit on the rooftop and watch the war!" They didn't have Netflix back then after all. Can you imagine? What a journey.Even today being able to go and see all those amazing places would be incredible.

  • @gusblessen5915
    @gusblessen5915 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Imagine: at one point in time, a Mongol backed crusade was an actual possibility.
    Is it possible to get cooler than that?

  • @maldoran9150
    @maldoran9150 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic story, thank you for sharing.

  • @NoobPTFO
    @NoobPTFO 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    After discovering this channel, history has felt so more connected than it used to be (for me at least)

  • @BlueBaron3339
    @BlueBaron3339 3 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    It would seem that the arrival of Chinese Christians messed mightily with the minds of the folks they encountered. "Uh...who are you?" is a refrain here 😅 😂 🤣

    • @zhouwu
      @zhouwu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yup.

  • @coastsouljah
    @coastsouljah 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Completely fascinating.

  • @ROZLAD
    @ROZLAD 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    impressive work as always lads

  • @BobWeaver3000
    @BobWeaver3000 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    fantastic video Thank you

  • @korax9728
    @korax9728 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Someone needs to dig on this and make a moviie or something. I'm so glad I'm subscribed and I don't know what holiwood filmakers are thinkng about but your channel is a huge source of wonder and insight into ancient civilizations and connections that honestly I didn't even know they existed.

    • @SA-rb5xq
      @SA-rb5xq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      A series.

    • @George-cr6jq
      @George-cr6jq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Make a movie about a old christian visiting churches?

    • @SA-rb5xq
      @SA-rb5xq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@George-cr6jq Medieval slice of life adventure with historical figures and events. Lots of different architecture & culture on display.

    • @George-cr6jq
      @George-cr6jq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SA-rb5xq well they could use marco polo writings which are a lot more exciting if this is what you want

    • @SA-rb5xq
      @SA-rb5xq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@George-cr6jq Marco Polo has already been done more than once.

  • @1Fracino
    @1Fracino 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Now this is an Epic Journey. To go into unknown lands and cross unknown seas and learn the beliefs of the people and see with his own eyes all there was to see of the Monuments raised to pay homage to their beliefs. An undertaking that took years to accomplish with immense & unseen/unknown (at the time), danger all around him and his companions and yet he succeeded in his mission. Really incredible history, thank you for the re-telling :)

  • @olorin4317
    @olorin4317 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is my favorite channel on the youtube.

  • @chaosXP3RT
    @chaosXP3RT 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is amazing! I love these stories!

  • @kurkkamambusu4063
    @kurkkamambusu4063 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    It is always fascinating what place Jerusalem had in the mind of medieavel people.
    That kept going, i heard that even columbus used Jerusalem as an argument for the funding of his travel to West.

  • @mikehunt3436
    @mikehunt3436 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I feel like this could easily be made into a travel comedy, his use of Aramaihic honorific is also very interesting, reminds me of Indian Orthodox Christians.

    • @diansc7322
      @diansc7322 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      the church of the East was also of Syriac/Aramaic rite and language, iirc this very story is written in syriac

  • @snuppssynthchannel
    @snuppssynthchannel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Incredible video!

  • @papazataklaattiranimam
    @papazataklaattiranimam 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Good as always

  • @michaeldeleon2986
    @michaeldeleon2986 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I got a chuckle when he said he was amazed the franks only engaged enemy combatants

  • @Fufflunsify
    @Fufflunsify 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    3:00 at first I legit thought for a moment, wow, even ancient accounts of expeditions to foreign lands was sponsored by Square Space!
    I need a nap

  • @curt3494
    @curt3494 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is absolutely fascinating.

  • @akashdtx
    @akashdtx 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such soothing voice, music and presentation...

  • @Khazzman
    @Khazzman 3 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    Rabban Bar Sawma: "This sea is a very terrible sea, and many thousands have perished within."
    The Mediterranean: "Bro, I'm just s- I'm just sitting here."

    • @mirzaahmed6589
      @mirzaahmed6589 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He might have been referring to the Adriatic.

    • @galenusv7831
      @galenusv7831 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Maybe one sailor was telling him about this shipwreck and that other one, and our boy might have misunderstood it, thinking that the sea was dangerous.
      Problems with translation, maybe.

  • @galenusv7831
    @galenusv7831 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Imagine Rabban Sawma's impression when seeing the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris...

    • @blablabubles
      @blablabubles 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I doubt that they would have been allowed to go into the main chapel. It was reserved for the king and his family.

  • @monkeynumbernine
    @monkeynumbernine 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is absolutely phenomenal!!!!
    I almost can't wrap my mind around this....the distances traveled, the knowledge of foreign dignitaries, the ability to communicate with said dignitaries...

  • @Cibohos
    @Cibohos 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    so which church was built for this envoy, in which he according to the king was to recite prayers?

    • @1966bluemax
      @1966bluemax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Maybe isis burned it already

    • @lpsp442
      @lpsp442 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      *in which

    • @luxborealis
      @luxborealis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Unknown, only that it was in Baghdad. Most likely it was converted to a mosque when the city was reconquered from the Mongols; this was an easy way for a conqueror to both cater to the Muslim majority while also making the Christians dependent on the conqueror for new church plots.

    • @midshipman8654
      @midshipman8654 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Lux Borealis makes sense. that seems pretty common in history. converting the major churches to that of the new rulers.

  • @Alexander-tu3iv
    @Alexander-tu3iv 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Lol this guy really hyped up the king of france for a franco-mongol crusade only to be like, nah mate we just want to see some churches innit?

  • @hisunrelentingquest3290
    @hisunrelentingquest3290 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So very lovely, and what courage those men of the East had to "bear the marks of Christ," likewise those in H K. Many blessing to all

  • @daithiocinnsealach3173
    @daithiocinnsealach3173 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Another way to support your work might be to compile them in collections and sell them as audiobooks on Audible.

  • @Porako
    @Porako 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks!