论长老约翰从亚洲到非洲的“乔迁”

The "Migration" of Prester John from Asia to Africa

长老约翰传说盛行于十字军东征期间的欧洲社会。随着对亚洲认识的加深,欧洲人于14世纪把长老约翰的国度放在埃塞俄比亚。这一变化是在当时世界经济一体化浪潮的推动下,欧洲与"复兴"的埃塞俄比亚有着反穆斯林势力的共同需求,远东长老约翰神话破灭及埃塞俄比亚基督教传统等共同作用的产物。它激发了欧洲人对海外未知领域的探险热情,推动了地理大发现的到来,从而影响了人类历史发展的进程。

The legend of Prester John was prevalent in European society during the Crusades.With their knowledge on Asia increased,Europeans began to locate Ethiopia as Prester John native land in the fourteenth century.This resulted from a combined effect with the progress of globalized economy.For one thing,both Europe and 'revived' Ethiopia were in need of anti-Muslim and Christianity in Ethiopia had already enjoyed a long history;for another the legend of Prester John in the Far East collapsed.This change stimulated Europeans' enthusiasm to explore the unknown world and led to the arrival of geographical discovery,thus impacting the whole process of human history.