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The imaginary king who changed the real world - Matteo Salvadore

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TEDEd Animation

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In 1165, 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.

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Reflect on how European religious fervor and ambitions defined both the rise and the demise of the myth of Prester John.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matteo Salvadore
  • Director Anna Nowakowska
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Producer The Animation Workshop, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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