Mirabilia descripta: The wonders of the East

"Mirabilia descripta: The Wonders of the East" by Friar Jordanus is a travel narrative written in the 14th century. This work documents the author's experiences and observations during his travels in India and surrounding regions, blending factual descriptions with tales of marvels and curiosities that reflect the author's credulity and the medieval perspective on exotic lands. The text navigates through various cultures, natural phenomena, and wonders, offering a glimpse into the world as seen through the eyes of a fourteenth-century missionary. At the start of the narrative, Jordanus sets a tone of awe and wonder as he recounts extraordinary phenomena observed during his travels. He describes a remarkable whirlpool located between Sicily and Calabria, provides insights into the fables of Armenia, and recounts tales of animals and people in Persia, highlighting the peculiarities of their culture and customs. His descriptions convey a mix of fantastical elements, such as winged cats and vast serpents, alongside genuine geographical and ethnographic observations, demonstrating both his keen observation skills and the mystical allure of the East as perceived in the medieval era. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jordanus is the Latin form of Jordan and may refer to:Jordanus of Bristol, a saint venerated in Bristol, England Jordan Catala, a 14th-century French missionary and explorer Jordanus de Nemore, a medieval mathematician Jordanus of Saxony, c. 1190–1237, 2nd Master General of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) Raymundus Jordanus, a 14th-century Christian writer also known as Idiota