Episode 249

After returning to the Eastern Roman Empire, thankfully, nothing major happened.

Since I wasn’t the emperor, just his spouse, I took it easy, enjoying some downtime and spending my evenings with my wife. Honestly, it wasn’t a bad way to pass the time.

Having traveled to various regions, I’ve always felt that whether it’s France, the Holy Roman Empire, or the Ayyubids, none could match the cultural richness of this place. Not even close.

Be it food, performances, or the arts, Europe and the Eastern Roman Empire seemed to lag at least a century behind, and the Ayyubids weren’t much different.

Unlike the past, when the empire was in decline, it was now experiencing a revival, brimming with vitality, and the citizens’ faces were filled with happiness.

I’ve heard that the fact that I reside here has attracted merchants from all over, further boosting commerce.

Honestly, this was only natural.

The assurance of a nation that couldn’t fail was crucial for both merchants and ordinary people.

In this era, the weak could lose everything in an instant due to war or disaster.

With such threats absent, it’s no wonder everyone wants to live here.

“The city’s population is growing too fast; it’s becoming a problem.”

The capital’s population, which had been dwindling, has now returned to the levels of the Komnenos dynasty and is expected to keep growing, which might be a headache for the administration.

However, the ongoing agricultural revolution and the recovery of tax revenues were more beneficial, so it wasn’t a truly negative sign.

The real issue was the scholars flocking to me, now that it seemed I’d be settling here.

Especially with Fatima and her husband Ramadan staying put, the academic community was buzzing even more.

“Apostle! The topic of the upcoming symposium is the geocentric versus heliocentric theory! Do you know the answer?”

“Dear, what are you saying? Of course, the Apostle knows everything.”

“Indeed, would you consider attending? Scholars supporting both theories are gathering to debate.”

Is the heliocentric theory already being seriously considered against the geocentric theory in the 13th century?

The controversy was supposed to intensify in the 15th century, with the heliocentric theory gaining acceptance in the 16th. The pace is astonishing.

“The debate between heliocentrism and geocentrism… It’s intriguing, but which side is more dominant?”

“Naturally, the geocentric theory. There are many aspects the heliocentric theory can’t explain.”

“Really? So, do you support the geocentric theory?”

“I’m not an expert, but I know both have weaknesses. I’m very curious about the truth.”

People often misunderstand, but the heliocentric theory didn’t just pop up in the time of Copernicus or Galileo.

It was proposed by Aristarchus as a counter-theory to the ancient geocentric model, existing for at least two centuries.

Even in the 13th century, it was a well-established theory over a thousand years old.

However, the reason the heliocentric theory wasn’t accepted wasn’t because ancient people were foolish.

To support any theory, you need evidence and logic, and ancient technology couldn’t prove the Earth’s rotation.

In fact, the theories explaining planetary motion were more bizarre and complex than the geocentric model, which is why people accepted geocentrism as the standard.

People tend to believe that the truth should be clear and simple.

“Fatima, what do you think? Is the geocentric theory correct, or is it the heliocentric one?”

“Of course, it’s the geocentric theory, right? If the Earth were moving, we wouldn’t be able to stand still like this.”

Naturally. It’s only logical for people of this era to think that way.

Without scientific explanations for gravity or inertia, it’s understandable.

Feeling a bit mischievous, I decided to feign ignorance and ask another question.

“Why wouldn’t we be able to stand still if the planet is moving?”

“Even on a rocking boat, it’s hard to keep your balance. How could we stand still on a moving Earth? It would be like a constant earthquake.”

“Oh?”

“And if the planet were moving, I shouldn’t land in the same spot when I jump.”

“But when you’re on a boat and jump, don’t you land in the same spot? According to your logic, that doesn’t make sense either.”

”…What?”

Fatima momentarily froze, clutching her head in thought, while Ramadan tried to come up with an explanation.

But from my perspective, while it’s an interesting debate, reaching a conclusion is impossible.

The truth is that the heliocentric theory is correct, but to completely dismiss the geocentric model, we need to reach Newton’s era.

Though at this rate, someone might discover the law of universal gravitation before Newton, it’s still too early now.

Maybe in a hundred years?

“Apostle, could you also provide an answer to the recent heated debate about whether sailing across the Atlantic would lead to India?”

“Hmm? Is that also a topic for the upcoming discussion?”

“Yes. Since the Earth is round, theoretically, sailing across the Atlantic should lead to India, right?”

People often mistakenly associate the geocentric model with the flat Earth theory, but medieval people weren’t fools.

They knew the Earth was round, and many scholars attempted to calculate its circumference.

The fact that the Earth is round was so evident in daily life that it couldn’t be denied.

The biggest proof was that when navigating, the shortest route on a map never led to the actual destination.

Even in ancient times, most scholars knew from experience that the Earth was round.

However, calculating its exact circumference was a different matter entirely.

“Is there already a country planning to sail across the Atlantic to reach India?”

“Yes. Didn’t you know? Recently, King Richard of England and even France have shown interest in testing this theory. My husband mentioned it, but I’m not sure if I remember correctly.”

“Your wife is right. In this era, the pursuit of knowledge and exploration, as you commanded, is paramount. Scholars are dedicating their lives to their theories, and promising ones receive support from the Roman Academy. The proposal to sail across the Atlantic to India is being seriously discussed.”

When people have the means and opportunity, they tend to take on crazy challenges.

Considering the current era, where the Earth’s circumference isn’t perfectly calculated, reckless adventurers like Columbus might emerge more easily.

Columbus’s requests for support to reach India were rejected not because medieval people were ignorant.

In modern times, Columbus is seen as a pioneer who knew the Earth was round, while those who mocked him are considered fools who later abandoned the flat Earth theory due to his achievements, but that’s a misconception.

In reality, Columbus was the foolish one, and people of his time had relatively accurate calculations of the Earth’s circumference, dismissing his claims as nonsense.

If not for the discovery of the Americas, Columbus would have starved at sea, never reaching even Hawaii.

Though he survived by discovering the New World, how could medieval people have imagined two massive continents between the Atlantic and Pacific?

That’s why when Columbus returned, claiming to have found India, many still believed he was talking nonsense.

Not out of jealousy, but because, by their calculations, it was impossible for him to have reached India.

However, given the less precise calculations of this era, it’s not unreasonable for people to believe they could reach India.

“Isn’t there anyone arguing that, based on current navigation skills, provisions, and the distance to India, it’s impossible to reach it?”

“There are, but everyone insists their calculations are correct, so there’s no consensus. They plan to settle it in an upcoming meeting.”

“Interesting. That topic piques my interest.”

The potential discovery of a new continent, achievable with the right luck and resources, is far more intriguing than the currently unprovable heliocentric theory.

If Europe reaches the New World now, it would be unstoppable.

Europe’s conquest of the New World wasn’t just due to guns or gunpowder.

The indigenous people, lacking even iron-age technology and horses, would be overwhelmed by the current European military.

Moreover, Europeans are now partially immune to smallpox due to variolation.

Considering that diseases brought by Europeans killed more Native Americans than guns or swords, Europeans might be an even more deadly disease to the New World now.

But is it right to prevent such an event to avoid disaster?

Given that this idea has already been proposed, even if I were to ban it now, someone would inevitably discover the new continent in 50 or 100 years.

If that happens, the horrific massacres from history might repeat themselves.

No, they almost certainly will.

From that perspective, wouldn’t it be better to guide the process and set some guidelines?

Wait a minute. Even if we do that, the Aztecs will still be in trouble… If the European nations find out about them, will any guidelines even matter?

The prevailing opinion will likely be that it’s a land overrun by Satan incarnate and demon worshippers.

Honestly, I think those guys deserve a bit of a beating.

“Alright. Ramadan, you’ll attend the meeting as an observer. Handle it as you see fit. And while you’re there, I’ll deliver one more revelation.”

“R-Really? To witness the Apostle’s revelation with my own eyes… Understood! I’ll convey it immediately.”

If we can’t stop it, we might as well steer the course.

If we issue a revelation to topple that evil empire and save the poor natives of the new continent…?

This will definitely work.

Yes. Instead of attacking a perfectly fine Jerusalem and massacring civilians, this is what a righteous crusade should be.