The Travels of Marco Polo · Character
the Old Man of the Mountain
Also known as The old man, the Viex de la Montagne, the King of the Mountain
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 15
He carries the quiet gravity of age, but the text gives him only a brief outline: an old man at the edge of a legend and a visitor glimpsed in passing. His sparse appearances leave more mystery than certainty.
- Gender
- male
- Age
- old
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 15
- Books
- 1
The old man appears first as a figure in the legend of Alexander and later as an elderly local man who visited the author. The account does not connect these mentions into a fuller personal history or describe his relationships, character, or fate.
Description
He is identified as old, and one mention calls him elderly, but no further physical details are supplied. His build, coloring, hair, eyes, face, garments, and distinguishing features remain unknown. A concrete portrait would go beyond the text. He is described as an old man and a prince, but the text provides no precise account of his face, build, complexion, hair, or eyes. No garments or accessories are specified, so his attire should remain a restrained period-appropriate interpretation rather than a claimed detail. His defining visual impression is one of age and rank, conveyed through a composed, commanding bearing.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Mahommetimitator
The Old Man models his description of Paradise on Mahommet’s account, as the narrative describes it, and invokes that teaching to persuade his followers.
Marco Poloreported subject
Marco recounts the Old Man’s story as local informants told it; the text does not say Marco met him.
- HS
Hassan, son of Sabahpredecessor
The historical note identifies Hassan as the founder of the Ismailite power from which the Old Man’s position and organization derived.
- H
Hulakuopponent
Hulaku’s Mongol campaign subdues the Ismailite strongholds and ends the Old Man’s dynasty; the note distinguishes this history from Polo’s simplified account.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1
Appearances
Meet the Old Man of the Mountain in Bookworm
Meet the Old Man of the Mountain in your EPUB — spoiler-safe to the book you're on.