# Isol the Pisan

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Italian diplomat in the service of the Mongols

**Isol the Pisan**, also known as **Ciolo Bofeti di Anastasio** or **Zolus Bofeti de Anestasio** ([fl.](/source/Floruit) 1300), was an Italian merchant, diplomat, and military leader. For some time he resided at the court of the [Mongol](/source/Mongol) [Ilkhan](/source/Ilkhan), [Ghazan](/source/Ghazan), in [Persia](/source/Persia), rising to become his ambassador or liaison[1] to the [Kingdom of Cyprus](/source/Kingdom_of_Cyprus). His high status at Ghazan's court may stem from his being the [godfather](/source/Godparent) of [Öljeitü](/source/%C3%96ljeit%C3%BC) at the latter's [baptism](/source/Baptism).[2]

Little is known about Isol, but the French historian [Jean Richard](/source/Jean_Richard_(historian)) concluded that he was probably the governor of a Persian province.[3] In a letter dated 20 September 1300 from Pope Boniface to the [Archbishop of Nicosia](/source/Archbishop_of_Nicosia), Isol was titled "Vicar of Syria and the Holy Land for Ghazan the Emperor of the Tartars",[4] suggesting that he was put in charge of coordinating relations between the [Crusader states](/source/Crusader_states) and the Mongols.[5][6] Isol is also a probable source for some of the information about Europe in the "History of the World" chronicle by the Mongol historian [Rashid-al-Din Hamadani](/source/Rashid-al-Din_Hamadani).[7]

In 1300, Isol acted as an intermediary between Ghazan and European leaders such as [Henry II of Cyprus](/source/Henry_II_of_Cyprus) and [Pope Boniface VIII](/source/Pope_Boniface_VIII). This is mentioned in a letter dated 2 July 1300 written from [Barcelona](/source/Barcelona) by [Romeu de Marimundo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Romeu_de_Marimundo&action=edit&redlink=1), counsellor of [James II of Aragon](/source/James_II_of_Aragon):

From the Tatars, the king of Armenia, the king of Cyprus, the Great Master of the Templars or other nobles from Outremer, are arriving ambassadors on a visit to the Pope. They are already in Apulia and should reach the Pope in the next few days.[8]

Isol was also present as the Mongol representative in July 1300 aboard a small Cypriot fleet of sixteen [galleys](/source/Galley) which were attacking [Rosetta](/source/Rosetta) and other targets along the Palestinian coast.[2][9]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Richard, p. 456

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sinor_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sinor_2-1) Sinor, 535–6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Roux, 410.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Original [Latin](/source/Latin_language): *Vicarius Siriae ac Terrae Sanctae a Casano imperatore Tartarorum institutus*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Richard, *Histoire des Croisades*, 481.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Schein, 815.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Richard, *Histoire des Croisades*, 469.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-demurger_8-0)** Demurger, 146.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Demurger, 147.

## References

- [Demurger, Alain](/source/Alain_Demurger) (2007). *Jacques de Molay*. Editions Payot.

- [Richard, Jean](/source/Jean_Richard_(historian)) (1970). "Isol le Pisan: Un aventurier franc gouverneur d'une province mongole?" *Central Asiatic Journal*, **14**: 186–94.

- Richard, Jean. *Histoire des Croisades*. Fayard.

- Schein, Sylvia (1979). ["Gesta Dei per Mongolos 1300. The Genesis of a Non-Event."](https://www.jstor.org/stable/565554) *[English Historical Review](/source/English_Historical_Review)*, **94**:373 (October), pp. 805–819.

- Sinor, Denis (1975). ["The Mongols and Western Europe."](http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/History/History-idx?type=turn&entity=History.CrusThree.p0551&isize=M&q1=isol) *A History of the Crusades III: The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries*, Harry W. Hazard, ed. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.

- M. Balard, “*Génois et Pisans en Orient (fin du XIIIe-début du XIVe siècle)*”, in Atti Società ligure di storia patria, n.s. Vol. XXIV (XCVIII), fasc. II, Genova, Società ligure di storia patria, [1984], pp. 179–209.

- M. Chiaverini, "*Il ‘Porto Pisano’ alla foce del Don tra il XIII e XIV secolo*", Pisa, MARICH, 2000, pp. 51–52.

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