Pax Mongolica

Mongol control over much of Eurasia enabled merchants, envoys, missionaries and specialists to cross territories that had previously been divided among hostile states. Official passes and relay stations supported movement along major routes.

Travel remained dangerous and the empire was politically fragmented, but connections between the Mediterranean, Islamic world, Central Asia and China intensified. Goods, technologies, beliefs and disease travelled through these networks.

This context supports journey narratives such as the travels associated with the Polo family and other visitors to Mongol courts.