Milion

The book was written by Rustichello da Pisa, a writer of chivalric romances, who transcribed under dictation the memories recalled by Marco Polo while the two were in San Giorgio prison in Genoa. Rusticillo used the Franco-Venetian language, a cultural language widespread in northern Italy between the subalpine belt and the lower reaches of the Po. Another version was written in langue d'oil, the lingua franca of crusaders and western traders in the East, perhaps in 1298, but certainly after 1296. According to some researchers, the text was then revised by Marco Polo himself after he returned to Venice, with the cooperation of some brothers of the Dominican order. Considered a masterpiece of travel literature, Il Milione is also a geographical encyclopedia, which combines in one volume the basic knowledge available at the end of the 13th century about Asia, and a historical-geographical treatise. It is recorded that Marko addresses everyone who wants to know: to know what lies beyond the borders of old Europe. He does not place his book under the sign of usefulness, but under the sign of knowledge. Compared to other travel accounts written during the 13th century, such as Giovanni da Piano del Carpine's Historia Mongalorum and William of Rubruck's Itinerarium, Il Milione was exceptional, as its descriptions went far beyond the Karakorum and reached Cathay. Marco Polo testifies to the existence of an established and highly sophisticated Mongolian civilization, absolutely comparable to European civilizations: the Mongols, in short, were not only wild nomads who lived on horses and moved around in tents, of which Giovanni da Pian del Carpine and William of Rubruck , but they lived in walled cities, could read and had very sophisticated habits and customs. However, just like William of Rubruck, Marko denies some legends about Asia in which the Europeans of the time were completely sure. Milione is defined as a geographical, historical, ethnological, political, scientific (zoology, botany, mineralogy) description of medieval Asia. His descriptions contributed to Fra Mauro's map of the world and inspired the voyages of Christopher Columbus. With a ticket!