Narrative Analysis of the Notes of Italian Travellers of the 13th – 15th Centuries in Central and East Asia

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to analyse the notes of Italian travellers of the 13^th-15^th centuries about Central and East Asia for the reliability of their information and attitude to the culture of the peoples of the East.

The scientific novelty of this study lies in the analysis of medieval Italian travellers’ notes, which illuminates the process of mutual understanding and cultural interpenetration between Eastern and Western civilisations.

Conclusions. The 13^th-15^th centuries were a time when a fairly extensive number of works appeared, written by Europeans who had visited Central and East Asia. This phenomenon was determined by the emergence of the vast Mongol Empire, which at first was perceived as a threat to Western Europe, and then began to be seen as a window of opportunity for trade and missionary activity. Italians predominated among travellers, as medieval Italian cities were the flagship in trade with the East, and the Papal See led the activities of missionaries and stood at the forefront of diplomatic activity. Depending on the type of activity, the travellers in their notes drew attention to various aspects of the life of the countries they visited. However, each of them wanted to emphasise the remarkable phenomena and peculiar miracles that they had seen.

In the notes of Italian travellers, the countries of Central and East Asia were presented as a land of fabulous wealth, ruled by despotic autocratic rulers. The countries farthest from the ecumene were initially depicted as lands inhabited by spectacular monsters, and later began to be understood as areas inhabited by dense savages with barbaric manners. The records of medieval Italian travellers about Central and East Asia served as a kind of window to Asia for their readers. They formed a certain image of the Eastern countries, which became entrenched in European culture. The experience of travelling to the countries of the East in the Middle Ages laid the foundations for future travel in the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries.

In the future, it would be useful to investigate the influence of oriental literature on the works of European travellers and how significantly these texts influenced the attitude of Europeans towards the countries of Central and East Asia.