Notebook Page 13 - Interregional Travel PDF

Notebook Page 13 Interregional Travel Period 1: 1200 CE - 1450 CE  New Travel Technology Another transformative element of the Post-Classical world was the development of several transportation and navigation innovations that aided travelers and enhanced Afro-Eurasian trade in the period...

Notebook Page 13 Interregional Travel Period 1: 1200 CE - 1450 CE  New Travel Technology Another transformative element of the Post-Classical world was the development of several transportation and navigation innovations that aided travelers and enhanced Afro-Eurasian trade in the period from 1200 CE - 1450 CE In Tang China, the true-north compass allowed travelers to maintain a consistent direction on land and sea, greatly enhancing the ability of travelers to both map and travel accurately Muslim astronomers refined the Hellenistic-era astrolabe to enhance the ability of sailors to measure latitude (position north and south) by gauging their position relative to the stars Chinese junks—the largest wooden ships of their time—allowed for more effective transport and the ability to travel longer distances Enhanced knowledge of monsoon winds in the Indian Ocean networks helped merchants sail more safely and consistently based on the yearly seasonal wind patterns of the monsoons On land, the domestication of the camel, the use of camel and horse saddles, and the development of caravans and caravanserai (roadside inns and stops) allowed terrestrial travelers to more safely travel large distances and haul more goods and supplies for travel and trade  Post-Classical Travelers Wealthy merchants were able to, for the first time, safely traverse and explore the civilizations of Afro-Eurasia The most-notable traveler was the Moroccan Muslim scholar and explorer Ibn Battuta (1304-1369) During his journeys, Ibn Battuta traveled more than 72,000 miles, spending most of his time within the Islamic world Most of his experiences are cataloged in his worked titled The Rihla, in which he sings the praises and excitements of travel and the cities of the [Muslim] world Around the same time, the Venetian Christian Marco Polo (1254-1324) traveled the Silk Roads to China, recording his experiences as a traveler and merchant in the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and China in the book The Travels of Marco Polo Both travelers captured the imaginations of European and Muslim readers, telling tales of wonderous cities and civilizations, and praising the splendor of these far-off locations However, both simultaneously exemplified a close-minded attitude towards the customs, culture, and societies of foreign inhabitants, criticizing the dress, eating, and religious practices of those outside their own region  Post-Classical Travelers Additionally from the West, Margery Kempe, an English mystic, traveled extensively throughout the Christian world and the Levant, writing The Book of Margery Kempe The work is considered by some to be the first autobiography in the English language; in it, Kempe chronicles her domestic tribulations, her extensive pilgrimages to holy sites in Europe and the Holy Land, as well as her mystical conversations with God Kempe adopted a life of celibacy with her husband, and decided to pursue a life of traveling through Europe and the Levant to see all (or many) of the Christian holy sites & relics Lastly, from Ming China, Zheng He—a Chinese court eunuch and Muslim who served as a fleet admiral—led several state-sponsored naval expeditions from 1405-1433 to the Indian Ocean The purpose of his travels were to broadcast Chinese power to the world, create more accurate maps, and establish trade with the Indian, Persian, Arab, and East African world Zheng He connected with more than 30 kingdoms, bringing back many lavish and exotic treasures and animals, and spurring curiosity throughout East Asia about far -off regions