primary-sources

Archive / Historical Sources

The Travels of Marco Polo – Marco Polo, Rustichello da Pisa – Various editions available; Penguin Classics (translated by Ronald Latham) is highly recommended for its accessibility.

A seminal 13th-century record of Marco Polo’s journey through the Mongol Empire. It examines the administrative brilliance of Kublai Khan, the economic innovations of the East, and the blending of empirical observation with medieval folklore.

Read More The Travels of Marco Polo – Marco Polo, Rustichello da Pisa – Various editions available; Penguin Classics (translated by Ronald Latham) is highly recommended for its accessibility.
Archive / Historical Sources

The Travels of Ibn Battuta – Ibn Battuta – 1929, Edited by Rev. Samuel Lee (translation)

Ibn Battuta’s Rihla provides a detailed account of 14th-century life across the Islamic world and beyond, offering a unique cultural and historical perspective. It is a crucial source for understanding global interconnectedness during the medieval period.

Read More The Travels of Ibn Battuta – Ibn Battuta – 1929, Edited by Rev. Samuel Lee (translation)