Say a bit of "Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World" please?

Posted by Bob on August 27, 2003

In Reply to: Say a bit of "Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World" please? posted by sphinx on August 27, 2003

: : : Did you know this book of Macro, "The book of Marco Polo, Citizen of Venice, Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World"?

: : : The title is so long! And could you know how to explain "Called Million, Wherein is Recounted the Wonders of the World"?

: : : Another question:
: : : "Marco Polo made progress in the Khan Kublai's favor; he studied Mongol language and was entrusted by the emperor with various missions to parts of the realm."

: :
: : : why we cannot use "was charged by the emperor with" here?

: : I don't see why not. Or "was sent by the emperor on various missions to parts of the realm."

: : Why were titles so long? Was it part of marketing strategy in those days before mass media?

Many non-fiction books today use long titles, too, but normally broken into a title, and a sub-title which hopes to tease buyers with a taste of the contents.

I see a difference between "entrusted" with missions (because the emperor trusted him) and "charged" (because the emperor ordered him or directed him. It's a small difference, but Marco wanted to emphasize how close he had become to Kubla Kahn, earning his trust. (Helps sell books.)

• "Called Million" R. Berg 27/August/03
  • Gentlemen.... sphinx 28/August/03