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Loading... The City of Lightby Jacob d'Ancona, David Selbourne (Translator)
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In 1270 Jacob d'Ancona, a Jewish scholar-merchant, embarked on a remarkable voyage from his native Italy to Zaitun, a vast coastal metropolis in southern China. Translated and edited by David Selbourne from a manuscript hidden from the outside world for centuries, this account of the journey provides a first-person insight into life in the 13th century, describing a thriving mercantile economy, whose vigorous manufacture and lavish consumption in the shadow of the impending Mongol invasion represent the swansong of a wealthy, decadent and surprisingly modern society. D'Ancona's participation as a foreign trader in the grand civic debates sheds light on, for example, the contemporary relationship of Jews and Christians, and the role for the individual in society - issues of enduring relevance. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)915.10424History and Geography Geography and Travel Geography of and travel in Asia China and KoreaLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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