Travels to Tana and Persia: A Narrative of Italian Travels in Persia, in the 15th and 16th Centuries

A historical account written in the 15th and 16th centuries. The book provides a detailed narrative of Italian merchants' travels to Persia and Tana, exploring the cultures, customs, and geographical landscapes encountered during their journeys. The main characters, Barbaro and Contarini, serve as firsthand witnesses to the exotic and often harsh realities of these foreign lands. At the start of the narrative, the transcriber notes the importance of preserving the historical accuracy of the original text, detailing the experiences and observations of Josafa Barbaro during his two voyages to Tana and Persia. Barbaro reflects on the marvels and barbarities of foreign territories compared to his homeland, England, praising its civilities and abundant resources. He expresses gratitude for his homeland while preparing to share the intriguing, sometimes astonishing tales of the lands he has explored, emphasizing the stark contrasts between the cultures he encountered. Throughout the opening, he sets the foundation for his subsequent detailed descriptions of the peoples, landscapes, and adventures that await in his travels.