Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________________________
Travels of the Lute Map Hunt – Answer Key
Using the various features of the GIS Map, find the answers to the following questions.
Using the various features of the GIS Map, find the answers to the following questions.
Cities
1.
This city, previously known as Constantinople and Byzantium, is at the crossroads of two continents:
Istanbul
2.
Edinburgh was the largest town in Scotland during the late medieval and early modern periods. It was
also the economic, political, and cultural centre of Scotland.
3.
Name two cities (one in Iraq and one in Spain) that were important centres of translation.
Baghdad, Toledo
4.
What was the eastern capital of the Roman Empire? In terms of geographical location, do you notice
anything special about this city?
The capital of the Eastern Roman Empire was Constantinople. Constantinople had an excellent
command over a land route between Europe and Asia as well as a sea route between the
Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Constantinople’s location made it ideal for trade.
5.
Why was Damascus such an important city?
Damascus was considered to be an important city because it is located the crossroads between
Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and the Mediterranean. Damascus’ location made it
well positioned for trade in the ancient world. Damascus also became the capital of the Umayyad
caliphate. During the late medieval and Renaissance periods, the city was associated with
luxurious products, particularly a fabric called “damask”, which was a rich silk material woven
with elaborate designs.
6.
Why is city of Mecca (in modern day Saudi Arabia) significant?
Mecca was the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad and is considered to be the holiest city in
Islam. The city has also been an important site for trade. It is also the destination for the Muslim
pilgrimage of Hajj.
7.
What happened to the city of Karakorum when the Chinese invaded in 1388?
Chinese forces destroyed Karakorum in 1388. Now it is buried deep beneath the earth, covered
by flood deposits and sand. All the remains visible is the Karakorum tortoise, a stone sculpture
from the eighteenth century.
1
Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________________________
Empires
8.
What are some important characteristics of the Tang Dynasty in China?
The Tang Dynasty is characterized as a period in Chinese history that welcomed outside
influences. Merchants resided in China from places like Korea, Japan and even India, Persia,
Arabia, and Syria.
9.
List one way in which the Mongol Empire differed from other empires.
The Mongol Empire is unique because it was built by nomads. Mongols preferred to live in tents
rather than live in house and cities.
10. How are the roots of the Mongol and Mughal Empires connected?
The Mongols and Mughals share a common ancestor. Genghis Khan founded the Mongol
Empire, and his descendants founded the Mughal Empire.
Rulers
11. Which two monarchs in Britain played the lute? Elizabeth I, Queen of England and James IV, King
of Scots
12. What was Genghis Khan’s birth name? What does “Genghis Khan” mean?
Genghis Khan’s birth name was Temujin. “Genghis Khan” means “universal lord.”
13. What religion did the Mughal Emperor Akbar adhere to, and what was his approach to religious
diversity within his Empire?
Emperor Akbar was a Sunni Muslim. He was considered to be a tolerant leader, particularly in
matters of religion. Akbar’s subjects were religiously diverse, so he would host gatherings every
Friday in the city of Fatehpur Sikri where men from different religious traditions would gather
to discuss religious questions. Akbar believed that no one religion could claim absolute religious
knowledge to the exclusion of others.
14. At the height of its power in the mid-13th century, the Mongol Empire encompassed how many miles
of territory?
The Mongol Empire encompassed 10 million miles of territory.
15. From this list of modern countries, circle those that were part of the Mongol Empire in the mid-13th
century.
Mongolia
Iraq
China
Iran
Afghanistan
Pakistan
2
Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________________________
Travellers (Humans and Their Music)
16. When did the lute arrive in Scotland?
Nobody knows exactly when the lute arrived in Scotland. But it must have been there by the
mid-15th century when it was listed as an instrument that was played in the Buke of the Howlat.
17. What is the “qunburi”?
The qunburi is a gold and silver stringed instrument that Ibn Battuta encountered in the
Kingdom of Mali, in West Africa. The qunburi may have been the local version of the lute.
18. Rabban Bar Sauma had to travel a long distance from Baghdad in order to reach Constantinople. How
many kilometres separate these cities along a straight line?
The two cities are about 1650 km apart (+/- 100 km).
19. Marco Polo had to travel a long distance from his home in Venice to the court of Kublai Khan. How
many kilometres separate these places along a straight line?
The two cities are about 7900 km apart (+/- 200 km).
20. Do all scholars accept the authenticity of Marco Polo’s observations of China? Why or why not?
Some scholars doubt Marco Polo’s statements on China for a few reasons. First of all, some
scholars doubt that Marco Polo even got to China. They believe that Marco Polo did travel, but
not as far as he claimed. They say that he learned about China from Central Asian and Mongol
informants. They also point to the impersonal and formulaic tone of his writings as well as his
book’s failure to address various aspect of Chinese culture. He did not discuss things such as
written language, tea, and foot binding. Furthermore, these scholars believe that the high status
positions given to Marco Polo seemed exaggerated and implausible.
3
Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________________________
Please cite this resource as:
Hleyhel, Sarah. “Travels of the Lute Map Hunt Answer Key.”, from Travels of the Lute:
A Digital Humanities Resource for Teaching and Learning World History,
directed by Mairi Cowan and Elaine Goettler. Toronto: University of Toronto,
2014.
4