Mission to the Lord Sophy of Persia (1539-1542

The description of his mission to the court of Shah Tahmasp I of Persia left by the Venetian Michele Membre is one of the most informative as well as the most individual of the few European accounts of 16th century Persia. Its author had exceptional opportunities to observe Safavid court society at a time when many tribal and heterodox features of the early Safavid state still persisted and he recorded his adventures and observations in a brief but lively narrative.