Marco Polo's India and the Latin Christian tradition
Joan‐Pau Rubiés
Even though ancient and medieval travel accounts are clearly less abundant than those composed circulated after the sixteenth century, perspective of later developments can be misleading regarding both their quantity significance. In particular, descriptions oriental lands peoples form an important body literature, which must interpreted in terms basic identities valid at time. West, these were articulated a general level by Church Carolingian idea empire, but practice fragmented conditioned feudal structures power weakened public authority only slowly gave to states able appeal national feelings. This explains importance pilgrimage, crusade mission as collective ideologies.
Cambridge University Press eBooks