Entry 1:
June 10, 1298
Dear diary,
It
is cold and wet in this cell. I’ve been imprisoned here in Genoa for over a year now.
After returning to Venice to fight in the army against this country, I
unfortunately was captured and locked up. I have decided to write about my
previous travels considering there seems to be nothing else to do in a prison
cell.
There have been so many rumors throughout the towns about the Mongols. I
had been investigating the habits and traits Mongol civilization (before I was captured of course), and I have come to a
conclusion about the personality of this strange crowd of nomads. These people are ruthless. Despite many people’s belief that they can be civilized, structured fighters, they are not. They are violent and
dangerous, thoughtlessly killing anyone who gets in their way. The Mongols are
nomadic people, constantly moving to follow herds of animals. This is very
unnerving for small villages on the path of the Mongols. These tiny communities
could be demolished in no time. They are always on the edge.
Also,
the Mongols are a disturbing people. If low on food, a solider is told to make a
small gash in the neck of his horse and drink the blood to survive. The fierce
Genghis Kahn (meaning “universal ruler”) is leading these alarming soldiers. Kahn was
actually rumored to be born with a blood clot in his fist, ironically later to be covered
with the blood of others instead. He is only out to seek revenge and murder, quoting that man’s greatest treasure was
to kill his enemies, steal his horse, and take his wife. Disgusting.
Sincerely,
Marco Polo
Entry 2:
June 20, 1298
Dear diary,
What a strange occurrence! Last night while lying in my cot in my cell, I completely saw the Mongols through new eyes! I
have had a complete change of heart! I apologize to my fellow Mongols, we are
completely civilized! I want to classify myself as a Mongol now because I am so
impressed by their achievements; I want to be part of the brilliance! Women are respected, running business and religion. There were many powerful women
leaders. The Mongol postal service is the best of its time. (It was incredibly efficient
and ran somewhat like the Pony Express.) New technology and weapons are being created
under the Mongol watch. Their battle techniques are amazing! The Mongols
accept the traits of the people they conquered, and remain somewhat
respectful to their beliefs!
Because of the
Mongols, trade in Europe is flourishing like never before. Ideas, inventions, food,
religions- they are traveling everywhere! China is slowly being unified! Great relations with
other countries are being made, and foreign trade is increased! I am so impressed!! My
apologies for my previous words!! Go Team Mongol!
Entry 3:
January 13, 2014
Hello,
My
name is Dr. Callie James Wood and I am a professional historian. After reading
many books and facts about the Mongols and the argument of whether or not they
were a peaceful people, I have come to a conclusion about their civilization.
Although they did have many achievements, this civilization is cruel. They are
merciless killers and could easily be compared to Sparta’s civilization for
their strong combat. Killing innocent men, women, and children, stealing
horses, taking wives captive, murdering entire populations- the Mongols were
definitely not a force to be reckoned with.
The
Mongol invasion of the Islamic islands in around the 13th century
resulted in around 1.3 million deaths in one city alone, and about 800,000 in
Baghdad. They ruined towns, cities, farms, agriculture, and almost everything
in between. Did they contribute to improving trade? Yes, but that is the only
helpful action they accomplished! Murdering small children, do you really think
that was peaceful? Making pyramids out of the heads of the killed? The Mongols
were not
peaceful people!
Dr. Callie James Wood,
Professional Historian
Works Cited
"The Mongols in World History | Asia Topics in World History." The Mongols in World History | Asia Topics in World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2014. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/figures/figu_polo.htm>.
"The Mongols." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/mongols.html>.
"Quodlibeta: How Bad Were the Mongols ?" Quodlibeta: How Bad Were the Mongols ? N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. <http://bedejournal.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-bad-were-mongols.html>.
Taylor, Robert. The Way People Live. San Diego: Lucent, 2001. Print.
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