Jonathan Spence · 1583 · global

Jonathan Spence's 1984 study follows the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci from Renaissance Rome to the court of Ming China, using the palace of memory he taught the Chinese as a key to his crossing of worlds. The route runs from Rome to Lisbon, around Africa to Goa and Macau, and up through the rivers and the Grand Canal of China to Beijing.

1. 1
   Rome

   At the Jesuit college in Rome the young Matteo Ricci trained in mathematics, astronomy and the art of memory before volunteering for the missions of the East.

2. 2
   Lisbon

   From Lisbon the great carracks sailed for the Indies; Ricci embarked in 1578 for the long voyage around Africa.

3. 3
   Goa

   Goa, jewel of Portuguese Asia, where Ricci studied and taught before being summoned onward to the edge of China.

4. 4
   Macau

   Macau, the Portuguese enclave on the South China coast, where he learned the language and waited for leave to enter the Middle Kingdom.

5. 5
   Zhaoqing

   At Zhaoqing on the West River he founded the first mission on Chinese soil and drew his famous world map for the astonished mandarins.

6. 6
   Nanchang

   In Nanchang he won the friendship of princes and scholars, and first set down his treatise on the palace of memory.

7. 7
   Nanjing

   Nanjing, the southern capital, where his learning and his striking clocks opened the doors of the literati.

8. 8
   Beijing

   Admitted at last to Beijing and the court of the Wanli Emperor, Ricci remained until his death in 1610, the first European buried on imperial ground.