Quiz · Learning and Go-Betweens
The Interpreters: Who Translated for the Mongol Empire?
Two questions on this film. Watch it first, or answer now and watch afterward.
Watch or rewatch the film: The Interpreters: Who Translated for the Mongol Empire?Question 1 of 2Batu’s letters said King Louis had asked for troops against Muslims. Whom did Rubruck suspect?
Rubruck knew Louis had asked for no troops. He suspected the Armenian translators of adding the request themselves.
Source: EP50 claims T11-068, T11-120 (Rubruck, Itinerarium, Rockhill trans. p. 166); narrated at 07:40 of 12:55 (59%)
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The answer: The Armenians who translated the letter
Rubruck knew Louis had asked for no troops. He suspected the Armenian translators of adding the request themselves.
Source: EP50 claims T11-068, T11-120 (Rubruck, Itinerarium, Rockhill trans. p. 166); narrated at 07:40 of 12:55 (59%)
Question 2 of 2Mongol troops took a ransom for Vanakan but would not free his pupil Kirakos at any price. Why?
Kirakos says the Mongols kept him because they needed him for their letters. He escaped that same night.
Source: EP50 claims T11-078, T11-079, T11-080 (Kirakos, History of the Armenians, Bedrosian trans., ch. 24); narrated at 08:42 of 12:55 (67%)
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The answer: They needed him to read and write letters
Kirakos says the Mongols kept him because they needed him for their letters. He escaped that same night.
Source: EP50 claims T11-078, T11-079, T11-080 (Kirakos, History of the Armenians, Bedrosian trans., ch. 24); narrated at 08:42 of 12:55 (67%)
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These questions were drafted with AI assistance from the film’s researched script and its sources, and reviewed before publishing.