Monks of Kublai Khan, Emperor of China: Medieval Travels from China Through Central Asia to Persia and Beyond

Towards the end of the thirteenth century the Nestorian monk, Rabban Sawma, together with his disciple Mark, set out from Khanbaliq (Beijing), the capital city of Kublai Khan's Mongol Empire, on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Travelling through northern China and Central Asia they arrived at Maraghah, capital city of the Ilkhanate that was Mongol-ruled Persia. Military unrest prevented them from ever reaching Jerusalem but they did reah Baghdad, where Rabban Sawma spent many years. Summoned by Arghun Khan, the Ilkhan ruler and grand nephew of Kublai Khan, Sawma was made Ilkhanid ambassador and sent to Europe, first travelling to Constantinople to meet the Byzantine emperor and then to meet the kings of France and England as well as Pope Nicholas IV. Sawma's disciple, Mark, became the Nestorian Catholicus. Sawma's account of his travels provides unique information on the Ilkhans of Perisa and their dealings with the Mongol Christians as well as the events that led to the downfall of the Nestorian Church in China and further offers a unique picture of Medieval Europe through Asian eyes. Translated by Sir E.A. Wallis Budge, who also included a substantial introduction, the work is now rare. This edition contains a new introduction by Professor David Morgan, the leading scholar of the Mongol period.

Table of Contents:
Introduction by David Morgan Preface Introduction by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge The Nestorian Christians and their doctrines; The heresy of Nestorius; Progress of nestorianism; The conversion of Turkestan; Downfall of the Nestorian Church in China; Creed and doctrine of the Nestorians; The travels of the Nestorian Chinese monks, Rabban Sawma and Markos; 1: The travels of Sauma and Mark; The Paiza or Bull of the Mongol kings; 2: The travels of Rabban Sawma; Sawma returns to Mongolia; 3: The patriarchate of Mar Yahbh-Allaha III; The Il-Khans of Persia; The decline of Christianity in Central Asia and China; The modern Nestorians; The creed of Mar Yahbh-Allaha III; Appendix A to Introduction The rise and Fall of the first Mongol Empire; The Mongols and Christianity; The Mongol language; The progress of Muhammadanism in the thirteenth century Appendix B to Introduction The Nestorian stele at Hsi-an-Fu; Translation of the Syriac text Chapter 1: The history of Rabban Sawma Chapter 2: The history of Mar Yahbh-Allaha, the Catholicus and Patriarch of the East Chapter 3: Rabban Sawma and Rabban Markos wish to go to Jerusalem Chapter 4: Rabban Mark is ordained Metropolitan, and is called Mar Yahbh-Allaha, and Rabban Sawma becomes Visitor-General Chapter 5: Yahbh-Allaha is elected Patriarch Chapter 6: The false accusations which Mar Yahbh suffered in the days of Ahad the king Chapter 7: On the departure of Rabban Sawma to the country of the Romans in the name of King Arghon and of the Catholicus Mar Yahbh-Allaha: The journey of Rabban Sawma; Rabban Sawma in Byzantium; Rabban Sawma in Italy and in great Rome; The belief of Rabban Sawma, which the Cardinals demanded from him; Rabban Sawma in Fransa or Frangistan; Rabban Sawma goes to the King of England [Edward 1]; Rabban Sawma returns to Rome; Thge return of Rabban Sawma from Rome and from Mar Papa the Catholicus Patriarch of the Romans and of all westerns Chapter 8: The good acts of King Arghon, and his death Chapter 9: King Kaikhato and Mar Yahbh-Allaha Chapter 10: The death of Rabban Sawma and of the kings Kaikhato and Baidu Chapter 11: The persecution of Mar Yahbh-Allaha and the Christians in Maraghah Chapter 12: King Kazan pays honour to Mar Yahbh-Allaha Chapter 13: Further pillage and murder in Maraghah Chapter 14: Rebellions and fighting in the fortress of Arbil Chapter 15: Mar Yahbh-Allaha flourishes and finishes building the monastery of Maraghah Chapter 16: The love of King Kazan for Mar Yahbh-Allaha, and his death Chapter 17: King Uljaito and Mar Yahbh-Allaha Chapter 18: The massacre of the Christians at Arbil Chapter 19: The death of Mar Yahbh-Allaha Bibliography Notes

About the Author :
David Morgan is Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison. His book, The Mongols (2007), is widely regarded as the standard work.