Prester John was a famous Christian monarch invented by European crusaders in the early 12th century. The story of Prester John as ruler of a fabled Christian land overflowing with gold somewhere in Africa or Asia inspired countless exploratory missions aimed at expanding European and Christian authority across the globe. Learn more in this online exhibit from the Harvard Map Collection.
Exhibit
Virtual: The Story of Prester John
How Europeans made sense of the world prior to colonial expansion
Feb 15, 2020 through Feb 15, 2023
Open to the public
Location
Online Only
Harvard Map Collection
Harvard Map Collection