August 30, 2025 • 9 mins
20 - The Book of Ser Marco Polo, Volume 2.
20 - Book Fourth, Chapters 23 to 34. Of the straits of Constantinople. Concerning the Tartars. Of the war that arose between Alau and Barca. How Totomango was Lord of the Tartars. Conclusion.
20 - Book Fourth, Chapters 23 to 34. Of the straits of Constantinople. Concerning the Tartars. Of the war that arose between Alau and Barca. How Totomango was Lord of the Tartars. Conclusion.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section twenty of the Book of Sir Marco Polo, the
Venetian concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, Volume two.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. The Book of Sir Marco Polo,
(00:21):
the Venetian concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East,
Volume two by Rousticello da Pisa, translated by Henry Yule,
Book fourth, chapters twenty three to thirty four. Chapter twenty three,
he begins to speak of the Straits of Constantinople, but
(00:41):
decides to leave that matter. At the straits leading into
the Great Sea, on the west side, there is a
hill called the Pharoh. But since beginning on this matter,
I have changed my mind, because so many people know
all about it. So we will not put it in
our description, but go on to something else, And so Oh,
I will tell you about the Tartars of the Ponent
(01:02):
and the lords who were reigned over them. Chapter twenty four,
Concerning the Tartars of the Ponent and their lords. The
first lord of the Tartars of the Ponent was saying,
a very great empuisant king who conquered Russia and Comenia, Alania,
Lac menjar Zik, Gothia and Ghazaria. All these provinces were
(01:27):
conquered by King Sayin. Before his conquest, these all belonged
to the Coamanians. But they did not hold well together
nor were they united, and thus they lost their territories
and were dispersed over diverse countries. And those who remained
all became the servants of King Sayin. After King Sayin
reigned King Patu, and after Patu Barka, and after Barka
(01:51):
Mungo Temur, and after Mungol Tamur King Tatamungol, and then
Tuktai the present sovereign. Now I have to the Tartar
kings of the Ponent, and next I shall tell you
of a great battle that was fought between Alaou, the
lord of the Levant, and Barka, the lord of the Ponent.
So now we will relate out of what occasion that
(02:13):
battle arose and how it was fought. Chapter twenty five
of the War that arose between Allao and Barka and
the battles that they fought. It was in the year
twelve sixty one of Christ's incarnation, that there arose a
great discord between King Alaou, the Lord of the Tartars
of the Levant, and Barka, the King of the Tartars
(02:35):
of the Ponent. The occasion whereof was a province that
lay on the confines of both. They exchanged defiances and
make vast preparations. And when his preparations were complete, Allao,
the Lord of the Levant, set forth with all his people.
They marched for many days without any adventure to speak of,
and at last they reached a great plain which extends
(02:58):
between the Iron Gates and the Sea of Sarin. In
this plain he pitched his camp in beautiful order, And
I can assure you there was many a rich tent
and pavilion therein so that it looked indeed like a
camp of the wealthy. Alao said he would tarry there
to see if Barka and his people would come. So
there they tarried, abiding the enemy's arrival. This place where
(03:22):
the camp was pitched was on the frontier of the
two kings. Now let us speak of Barka and his people.
Chapter twenty six. How Barka and his army advanced to
meet Alao. Barka advances with three hundred fifty thousand horse
in camps on the plain within ten miles of Alao
addresses his men, announcing his intention of fighting after three days,
(03:46):
and expresses his confidence of success as they are in
the right and have fifty thousand men more than the enemy.
Chapter twenty seven How Alao addressed his followers. Alao calls
together a new parliament of his worthies and addresses them.
Chapter twenty eight of the Great Battle between Alao and Barka.
(04:09):
Description of the battle in the usual style with nothing characteristic,
results in the rout of Barka and great slaughter. Chapter
twenty nine. Ha Tota Mangu was lord of the Tartars
of the Ponent. You must know there was a prince
of the Tartars of the Ponent called Mango Tamur, and
from him the sovereignty passed to a young gentleman called Tolobuga.
(04:32):
But Totamungu, who was a man of great influence, with
the help of another Tartar king called Nogai, slew Tolibuga
and got possession of the sovereignty. He reigned not long, however,
and at his death Toktai, an able and valiant man,
was chosen sovereign in the place of Tatamanngu. But in
the meantime, two sons of that Tolibuga who was slain
(04:55):
were grown up and were likely youths able and prudent.
So these two brothers, the sons of Totamangu, got together
a goodly company and proceeded to the court of Toktai.
When they had got thither, they conducted themselves with great discretion,
keeping on their knees till Toktai bade them welcome and
to stand up. Then the eldest addressed the sovereign. Thus, good,
(05:19):
my Lord, Toktai, I will tell you to the best
of my ability, why we become hither. We are the
sons of Totamangu, whom Tolibuga and Nogai slew. As thou
well knowest of Tolibuga, we will say no more, since
he is dead. But we demand justice against Nugai as
the slayer of our father, and we pray THEE as
(05:40):
sovereign Lord, to summon him before thee and to do
us justice for this cause. Are we come? Toktai agrees
to their demand and sends two messengers to summon Nogai,
but Nagai mocks at the message and refuses to go,
whereupon Toktai sends second couple of messengers. Chapter thirty of
(06:01):
the second message that Tuktai sent to Nagai and his reply.
They carry a threat of attack if he should refuse
to present himself before Tuktai. Nagai refuses with defiance. Both
sides prepare for war, but Tuktai's force is the greater
in numbers. Chapter thirty one, How Toktai marched against Nogai,
(06:24):
the usual description of their advance to meet one another.
Toktai is joined by the two sons of Tatamangu with
a goodly company. They encamp within ten miles of each
other in the plain efnergi. Chapter thirty two, How Toktai
and Nogai address their people and the next day join battle.
The whole of this is in the usual formula, without
(06:46):
any circumstance worth transcribing the forces of Nogai, though inferior
in numbers, are the better men at arms. King Toktai
shows great valor. Chapter thirty three. The Valiant feats and
victory of King Nogai. The deeds of Nogai surpass all
the enemy part and scatter before him like a flock.
(07:08):
They are routed and pursued, losing sixty thousand men. The
King Toktai escapes, and so do the two sons of Tatamangu.
Chapter thirty four and last conclusion. And now ye have
heard all that we can tell you about the Tartars
and the Saracens and their customs, and likewise about the
(07:29):
other countries of the world, as far as our researches
and information extend. Only we have said nothing whatever about
the Greater Sea and the provinces that lie round it,
although we know it thoroughly. But it seems to me
a needless and useless task to speak about places which
are visited by people every day. For there are so
many who sail all about that sea constantly, the Venetians
(07:52):
and Genoese and Peasans and many others, that everybody knows
all about it. And that is the reason that I
pass it over and say nothing of it. Of the
manner in which we took our departure from the court
of the Great Khan, you have heard at the beginning
of the book in that chapter where we told you
of all the vexation and trouble that Messer Mephaeo and
(08:13):
Messer Niccolo and Messer Marco had about getting the great
Khans leave to go, And in that same chapter is
related the lucky chance that led to our departure. And
you may be sure that but for that lucky chance,
we should never have got away in spite of all
our trouble, and never have got back to our country again.
But I believe it was God's pleasure that we should
(08:36):
get back in order that people might learn about the
things that the world contains. For according to what has
been said in the introduction at the beginning of the book,
there never was a man, be he Christian or a Saracen,
or Tartar or heathen, whoever traveled over so much of
the world as did that noble and illustrious citizen of
(08:56):
the city of Venice, Messer Marco, the son of Messerni Ricolopolo.
Thanks be to God, Amen, Amen. End of section twenty,
end of the Book of Sir Marco Polo the Venetian
Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, Volume two
(09:17):
by Rousticello da Pisa, Translated by Henry Yule, recording by
Karen
Section twenty of the Book of Sir Marco Polo, the
Venetian concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, Volume two.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. The Book of Sir Marco Polo,
(00:21):
the Venetian concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East,
Volume two by Rousticello da Pisa, translated by Henry Yule,
Book fourth, chapters twenty three to thirty four. Chapter twenty three,
he begins to speak of the Straits of Constantinople, but
(00:41):
decides to leave that matter. At the straits leading into
the Great Sea, on the west side, there is a
hill called the Pharoh. But since beginning on this matter,
I have changed my mind, because so many people know
all about it. So we will not put it in
our description, but go on to something else, And so Oh,
I will tell you about the Tartars of the Ponent
(01:02):
and the lords who were reigned over them. Chapter twenty four,
Concerning the Tartars of the Ponent and their lords. The
first lord of the Tartars of the Ponent was saying,
a very great empuisant king who conquered Russia and Comenia, Alania,
Lac menjar Zik, Gothia and Ghazaria. All these provinces were
(01:27):
conquered by King Sayin. Before his conquest, these all belonged
to the Coamanians. But they did not hold well together
nor were they united, and thus they lost their territories
and were dispersed over diverse countries. And those who remained
all became the servants of King Sayin. After King Sayin
reigned King Patu, and after Patu Barka, and after Barka
(01:51):
Mungo Temur, and after Mungol Tamur King Tatamungol, and then
Tuktai the present sovereign. Now I have to the Tartar
kings of the Ponent, and next I shall tell you
of a great battle that was fought between Alaou, the
lord of the Levant, and Barka, the lord of the Ponent.
So now we will relate out of what occasion that
(02:13):
battle arose and how it was fought. Chapter twenty five
of the War that arose between Allao and Barka and
the battles that they fought. It was in the year
twelve sixty one of Christ's incarnation, that there arose a
great discord between King Alaou, the Lord of the Tartars
of the Levant, and Barka, the King of the Tartars
(02:35):
of the Ponent. The occasion whereof was a province that
lay on the confines of both. They exchanged defiances and
make vast preparations. And when his preparations were complete, Allao,
the Lord of the Levant, set forth with all his people.
They marched for many days without any adventure to speak of,
and at last they reached a great plain which extends
(02:58):
between the Iron Gates and the Sea of Sarin. In
this plain he pitched his camp in beautiful order, And
I can assure you there was many a rich tent
and pavilion therein so that it looked indeed like a
camp of the wealthy. Alao said he would tarry there
to see if Barka and his people would come. So
there they tarried, abiding the enemy's arrival. This place where
(03:22):
the camp was pitched was on the frontier of the
two kings. Now let us speak of Barka and his people.
Chapter twenty six. How Barka and his army advanced to
meet Alao. Barka advances with three hundred fifty thousand horse
in camps on the plain within ten miles of Alao
addresses his men, announcing his intention of fighting after three days,
(03:46):
and expresses his confidence of success as they are in
the right and have fifty thousand men more than the enemy.
Chapter twenty seven How Alao addressed his followers. Alao calls
together a new parliament of his worthies and addresses them.
Chapter twenty eight of the Great Battle between Alao and Barka.
(04:09):
Description of the battle in the usual style with nothing characteristic,
results in the rout of Barka and great slaughter. Chapter
twenty nine. Ha Tota Mangu was lord of the Tartars
of the Ponent. You must know there was a prince
of the Tartars of the Ponent called Mango Tamur, and
from him the sovereignty passed to a young gentleman called Tolobuga.
(04:32):
But Totamungu, who was a man of great influence, with
the help of another Tartar king called Nogai, slew Tolibuga
and got possession of the sovereignty. He reigned not long, however,
and at his death Toktai, an able and valiant man,
was chosen sovereign in the place of Tatamanngu. But in
the meantime, two sons of that Tolibuga who was slain
(04:55):
were grown up and were likely youths able and prudent.
So these two brothers, the sons of Totamangu, got together
a goodly company and proceeded to the court of Toktai.
When they had got thither, they conducted themselves with great discretion,
keeping on their knees till Toktai bade them welcome and
to stand up. Then the eldest addressed the sovereign. Thus, good,
(05:19):
my Lord, Toktai, I will tell you to the best
of my ability, why we become hither. We are the
sons of Totamangu, whom Tolibuga and Nogai slew. As thou
well knowest of Tolibuga, we will say no more, since
he is dead. But we demand justice against Nugai as
the slayer of our father, and we pray THEE as
(05:40):
sovereign Lord, to summon him before thee and to do
us justice for this cause. Are we come? Toktai agrees
to their demand and sends two messengers to summon Nogai,
but Nagai mocks at the message and refuses to go,
whereupon Toktai sends second couple of messengers. Chapter thirty of
(06:01):
the second message that Tuktai sent to Nagai and his reply.
They carry a threat of attack if he should refuse
to present himself before Tuktai. Nagai refuses with defiance. Both
sides prepare for war, but Tuktai's force is the greater
in numbers. Chapter thirty one, How Toktai marched against Nogai,
(06:24):
the usual description of their advance to meet one another.
Toktai is joined by the two sons of Tatamangu with
a goodly company. They encamp within ten miles of each
other in the plain efnergi. Chapter thirty two, How Toktai
and Nogai address their people and the next day join battle.
The whole of this is in the usual formula, without
(06:46):
any circumstance worth transcribing the forces of Nogai, though inferior
in numbers, are the better men at arms. King Toktai
shows great valor. Chapter thirty three. The Valiant feats and
victory of King Nogai. The deeds of Nogai surpass all
the enemy part and scatter before him like a flock.
(07:08):
They are routed and pursued, losing sixty thousand men. The
King Toktai escapes, and so do the two sons of Tatamangu.
Chapter thirty four and last conclusion. And now ye have
heard all that we can tell you about the Tartars
and the Saracens and their customs, and likewise about the
(07:29):
other countries of the world, as far as our researches
and information extend. Only we have said nothing whatever about
the Greater Sea and the provinces that lie round it,
although we know it thoroughly. But it seems to me
a needless and useless task to speak about places which
are visited by people every day. For there are so
many who sail all about that sea constantly, the Venetians
(07:52):
and Genoese and Peasans and many others, that everybody knows
all about it. And that is the reason that I
pass it over and say nothing of it. Of the
manner in which we took our departure from the court
of the Great Khan, you have heard at the beginning
of the book in that chapter where we told you
of all the vexation and trouble that Messer Mephaeo and
(08:13):
Messer Niccolo and Messer Marco had about getting the great
Khans leave to go, And in that same chapter is
related the lucky chance that led to our departure. And
you may be sure that but for that lucky chance,
we should never have got away in spite of all
our trouble, and never have got back to our country again.
But I believe it was God's pleasure that we should
(08:36):
get back in order that people might learn about the
things that the world contains. For according to what has
been said in the introduction at the beginning of the book,
there never was a man, be he Christian or a Saracen,
or Tartar or heathen, whoever traveled over so much of
the world as did that noble and illustrious citizen of
(08:56):
the city of Venice, Messer Marco, the son of Messerni Ricolopolo.
Thanks be to God, Amen, Amen. End of section twenty,
end of the Book of Sir Marco Polo the Venetian
Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, Volume two
(09:17):
by Rousticello da Pisa, Translated by Henry Yule, recording by
Karen
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com