Viam agnoscere veritatis (1248)
Encyclopedia
Viam agnoscere veritatis is the name of a letter written by Pope Innocent IV
to the Mongols
. It was written on November 22, 1248, and was Pope Innocent's reply to a message from Mongol commander Baiju
. Innocent IV had previously sent two letters to the Mongols in 1245, Cum non solum
and Dei patris immensa
.
The letter was probably transmitted from the Pope via Mongol envoys Aïbeg and Serkis
, was dated November 22, 1248, and was the Pope's reply to a letter from Baiju. Some historians refer to it as "Viam agnoscere veritatis" and some as "Viam cognoscere veritatis" (both "agnoscere" and "cognoscere" are Latin for "to know"). According to historian Denis Sinor, the letter "stated that Innocent IV had acted out of a sense of duty to let the true religion be known to the Mongols, and that he regretted the Mongols' perseverance in their errors and adjured them to cease their menaces."
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
to the Mongols
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire , initially named as Greater Mongol State was a great empire during the 13th and 14th centuries...
. It was written on November 22, 1248, and was Pope Innocent's reply to a message from Mongol commander Baiju
Baiju
Baiju was a Mongol commander in Persia appointed by Ögedei Khan to succeed Chormagan, and expand Mongol power further in that area....
. Innocent IV had previously sent two letters to the Mongols in 1245, Cum non solum
Cum non solum
Cum non solum was a letter written by Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols on March 13, 1245. In it, Pope Innocent appeals to the Mongols to desist from attacking Christians and other nations, and inquires as to the Mongols' future intentions...
and Dei patris immensa
Dei patris immensa
Dei patris immensa was a letter written by Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols . It was written on March 5, 1245, was an exposition of the Christian faith, and urged Mongols to accept baptism...
.
The letter was probably transmitted from the Pope via Mongol envoys Aïbeg and Serkis
Aïbeg and Serkis
Aïbeg and Serkis, also Aibeg and Sergis or Aïbäg and Särgis, were two ambassadors sent by the Mongol ruler Baichu to Pope Innocent IV in 1247–1248...
, was dated November 22, 1248, and was the Pope's reply to a letter from Baiju. Some historians refer to it as "Viam agnoscere veritatis" and some as "Viam cognoscere veritatis" (both "agnoscere" and "cognoscere" are Latin for "to know"). According to historian Denis Sinor, the letter "stated that Innocent IV had acted out of a sense of duty to let the true religion be known to the Mongols, and that he regretted the Mongols' perseverance in their errors and adjured them to cease their menaces."