Travels Of Marco Polo: Eighteen

Now let us tell of the officers and barons of the great Khan and how he rewarded those who fought with him in the battle against Nayan. To those who commanded 100 he gave the command of 1000, and to those of 1000 that of 10000; and he bestowed according to their rank tablets of gold or silver on all of which was written, "By the might of the of the great God and by the fovour which he gave to our emperor: may the prince be blessed, and may all those who do not obey him die and be destroyed." Those who hold these documents enjoy certain privileges, with written instructions how they are to exercise their authority. He who commands one lakh men receives a golden one, weighing 300 saggi, under which is sculptured a lion on one side and on the other the sun and moon. Those who bear this noble tablets have instructions that, whenever they ride they should bear above their head an umbrella of gold, and as often they are seated, it should be upon silver. There are also tablet whereon is sculptured a gerfalcon which he gives to three great barons, who have the equal authority with himself. They can take whatever they please, and lead from place to place the troops and horses of any prince or king; and whoever dares to disobey in any thing their will and mandate must die as a rebel to the sovereign. Now let us speak outward form and manners of this mighty prince.

____________________________________1. Gerfalcon or gryfalcon is a rare large falcon that lives in the Attic or Northern regions.

2. It is inferred from the above section that the kings and princes thrived on raid and plunder. Historically they were cattle and sheep rearers who always keep moving in search of better pastures. Their secondary occupation were raid and plunder and exchange of merchandise bought or plundered. This scenario that Marco Polo narrated does not reflect the facts after the victory of Kublai Khan over Nayan.

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