CNN'S MILLENNIUM SERIES: THE 14TH CENTURY, THE CENTURY OF THE SCYTHE {THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY} {EPISODE 4} (TV)
Summary
One in this ten-part miniseries documenting historical events and developments around the world in the individual centuries of the past millennium. This episode focuses on the 14th century. In Egypt, the Black Death took hold in 1347, and poets described how the once-affluent city was reduced to 2/3 of its original population after being ravaged by the plague. The sickness spread along the trade routes and affected many other countries, wiping out hundreds of thousands of people; it is speculated that half the population affected by the disease died. Many believed it was a sign of the end of the world and turned to religion, punishing others, usually specific racial groups, as well as themselves for bringing God’s wrath down upon them. Mali, however, flourished: the land was a vast source of gold, and traveler Ibn Battuta observed that the people also had an effective method of transporting salt over great distances. Through trade along the conveniently-placed Niger river, the country became wealthy and gained fame for its Islamic centers, in which the holy texts were decorated with gold. The sultan, known as Mansa Musa, was and still is greatly revered; he put together an impressive army, often depicted in small statues in modern day. Battuta observed the extensive marketplaces and use of gold in trading, although the native people kept the source of the gold a secret, and many legends and stories sprang up surrounding its legend. When Musa traveled to Mecca, he left behind in many towns the legend of his great wealth. In Central Asia, in the city of Samarkand, a conqueror called Timur made a name for himself by creating a massive army to rival Genghis Khan’s: he too felt that there should be only one god-like ruler on Earth, and considered himself the “champion of Islam.” He launched a large and violent campaign across several countries, expanding his empire and slaughtering thousands. He also built an elaborate mosque in honor of his mother-in-law, and allied himself with holy men, traveling to many shrines. He was seen as “more than a general” and as a holy leader as well, and his men were the soldiers of Islam. He continued his religious and political work until the very end of his life, and his mausoleum stands to this day. In Indonesia, the Indian Ocean proved itself useful for trade, thanks to the seasonal winds, and the kingdom of Majapahit in the city of Java was a “cultural melting pot” and a center for the trade of spices. The king, Hayam Wuruk, is still remembered in a “propaganda” musical poem written by his court. He too was known for his lavish lifestyle and desire to expand, and was also famed for his hospitality, providing guests with sumptuous banquets. Wuruk was also an artistic performer, and portrayed himself in dramatic productions as “a living god.” The islands, protected from disease by the ocean and active in trade, prospered. Northern Europe, on the other hand, was suffering through “a mini Ice Age” in which floods ravaged the countryside and temperatures plummeted. Many traveled south, and many died, unable to provide for themselves even in the summer seasons due to the famine that destroyed the crops. Meat became too expensive, and rumors of cannibalism spread. The poor looked to their kings for help, but were rewarded with harsh taxes and little assistance. Finally, a priest named John Ball stirred the people into revolution, encouraging them to rebel against the unjust class system, and many were killed in the process. Their demands were largely ignored, however, and many began to look seaward, searching for another home. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CNN
- DATE: October 31, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:90860
- GENRE: Documentary
- SUBJECT HEADING: Pat Mitchell Collection, The; History
- SERIES RUN: CNN - TV, 1999
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Executive Producer
- Jeremy Isaacs … Executive Producer
- Jody Gottlieb … Coordinating Producer
- Vivian Schiller … Senior Producer
- Gillian Widdicombe … Associate Producer
- Henrietta Foster … Assistant Producer
- Sarah Newman … Assistant Producer
- Janina Stamps … Line Producer
- Emma De'Ath … Series Producer
- Neil Cameron … Series Producer
- Mark Kidel … Director
- David Wallace … Director
- Peter Sommer … Director
- Felipe Fernández-Armesto … Based on the book by
- Richard Blackford … Music by
- Ben Kingsley … Narrator
- Mohamed el Saaba … Cast, Al Salah Al-Safadi
- Toby Salaman … Cast, John de Trokelowe
- Bernard Horsfall … Cast, John Ball
- John Ball
- Ibn Battuta
- Genghis Khan
- Mansa Musa
- Timur
- Hayam Wuruk