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| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
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4
MARCO POLO PROL.
coast of the Crimea, west of Kaffa. It had belonged to the Greek Empire, and had a considerable Greek population. After the Frank conquest of 1204 it apparently fell to Trebizond. It was taken by the Mongols in 1223 for the first time, and a second time in 1239, and during that century was the great port of intercourse with what is now Russia. At an uncertain date, but about the middle of the century, the Venetians established a factory there, which in 1287 became the seat of a consul. In 1323 we find Pope John XXII. complaining to Uzbek Khan of Sarai that the Christians had been ejected from Soldaia and their churches turned intc mosques. Ibn Batuta, who alludes to this strife, counts Sudak as one of the four great ports of the World. The Genoese got Soldaia in 1365 and built strong defences, still to be seen. Kaffa, with a good anchorage, in the 14th century, and later on Tana, took the place of Soldaia as chief emporium in South Russia. Some of the Arab Geographers call the Sea of Azov the Sea of Sudak.
The Elder Marce Polo in his Will (1280) bequeaths to the Franciscan Friars of the place a house of his in Soidachia, reserving life occupation to his own son and daughter, then residing in it. Probably this establishment already existed when the twc Brothers went thither. (Elie de Laj5rinzazia'are, passim ; Gold. Horde, 87 ; Illosheinz, App. 148 ; Ibn Bat. I. 28, II. 414 ; Cathay, 231-33 ; Heyd, II. passim.)
CHAPTER II.
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HOW THE Two BROTHERS WENT ON BEYOND SOI.DA1A.
A
HAVING stayed a while at Soldaia, they considered the
matter, and thought it well to extend their journey
further. So they set forth from Soldaia and travelled
till they carne to the Court of a certain Tartar Prince,
BARCA KAAN by name, whose residences were at SARA'
and at BOLGARA [and who was esteemed one of the
most liberal and courteous Princes that ever was among
the Tartars.] 2 This Barca was delighted at the arrival
of the Two Brothers, and treated them with great
honour ; so they presented to him the whole of the
jewels that they had brought with them. The Prince
was highly pleased with these, and accepted the offering
most graciously, causing the Brothers to receive at least
twice its value.
After they had spent a twelvemonth at the court of
this Prince there broke out a great war between Barca
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