Video
Get to know the legend of the king known as Prester John, whose myth would impact the decisions of European leaders for 400 years.
In 1165 CE, copies of a strange letter began to circulate throughout Europe. It spoke of a fantastical realm, containing the Tower of Babel and the Fountain of Youth— all ruled over by the letter’s mysterious author: Prester John. Who was this powerful ruler, and was he even real? Matteo Salvadore shares the legend of a mythical king who impacted the decisions of European leaders for 400 years.
Lesson by Matteo Salvadore, directed by Anna Nowakowska.
View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-imaginary-king-who-changed-the-real-world-matteo-salvadore
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Cite This Work
APA Style
TED-Ed. (2021, April 02). The Imaginary King who Changed the Real World - Matteo Salvadore. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2414/the-imaginary-king-who-changed-the-real-world---ma/
Chicago Style
TED-Ed. "The Imaginary King who Changed the Real World - Matteo Salvadore." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 02, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2414/the-imaginary-king-who-changed-the-real-world---ma/.
MLA Style
TED-Ed. "The Imaginary King who Changed the Real World - Matteo Salvadore." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 02 Apr 2021, https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2414/the-imaginary-king-who-changed-the-real-world---ma/. Web. 14 May 2025.
