Marko Polo in the opposite direction
Beijing, 13th century. According to Marko Polo, it was “the largest, most beautiful and richest city in the world,” but at that time it was called Khanbaliq (Khana City), the capital of the Mongol empire headed by Kublai Khan. There he was born around 1220 Bar Sauma, later nestory monk, who received the title of Rabban (teacher).
Accompanied by his disciple, Rabban Markos, he decided to travel to the Holy Land. More than 7,000 kilometres from Beijing to Jerusalem, he surrounded the Gobi desert, crossed the Himalayan plateau and had to avoid numerous conflicts. At least in the adventure were the support of the caravans of the Silk Road and the economic support of Kublai Khan himself.
It is unknown when he left Beijing, but in 1266 he reached Ilkhanato, specifically Baghdad. After a few years, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo would also go there, but in the opposite direction; the two travellers would never cross.
After five years in Baghdad, Bar Sauma was appointed Patriarch of the Church of the East. The appointment was to be ratified by Abaqa Khan, leader of Ilkhanato, but when he came to court he met Arghun Khan, son and heir of the late Abaqa, who had other plans for the master. Arghun Khan wanted to make an alliance between Christian Europe and the Ilkhanato against the Mamluks, and Rabban Bar Sauma was the right person to do so: he was a Christian (Christian), spoke in Persian and had the confidence of Nestilkhana’s advisers.
Due to its new diplomatic mission, it began its journey towards Europe in 1287. Crossing the Black Sea, Constantinople met with the Emperor of Byzantium, Andronic II. In Paris he held an interview with the king of France Felipe IV.arekin, in Bordeaux with Eduardo I of England and in Rome with Pope Nicholas IV. The dignitary was received in all courts with all honors, but he did not reach a covenant. They had problems closer than those of Mamelco and the friar returned to Baghdad with empty hands.
His last years were spent in the Maragh Monastery, writing what he had lived on his fascinating travels, until his death in 1294. But unlike what happened with Marco Polo, the adventures of Rabban Bar Sauma remained forgotten for centuries, until their writings were discovered in the 19th century.
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