Talk:Andrew of Longjumeau

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From the text:

"...Their route led them through Persia, along the southern and eastern shores of the Caspian (whose inland character, unconnected with the outer ocean, their journey helped to demonstrate)"

It is inconceivable to me that inhabitants of Persia were unaware of the geography of the Caspian Sea, and thus in need of a Frenchman traveling its southern border to know that there is no connection to any "Surrounding Ocean", whichever that ocean might be. In fact I would guess they were pretty much aware of the inland nature of the Caspian Sea much before then. The statement above is at best a misguided Eurocentric garbage, the author being "unaware" of people living in the middle east before the european "discoverers" came, and at worst a direct insult to intelligence and culture of the inhabitants of these regions. I think we have a right to expect better from Wikipedia.70.175.29.87 03:07, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps their journey demonstrated the Caspian's inland nature to Europeans (as opposed to the people who already lived there)? Otherwise, I agree that the statement would be Eurocentric.--MorrisGregorian 07:08, 16 February 2006 (UTC)