The best structural equivalent for the outer part of the VMs cosmos, in my opinion, is the 'Eight Phases of the Moon' diagram by Shirakatsi.
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While it may seem unlikely, at first, the Genoese were in the Black Sea a century before the VMs C-14 dates, and the Venetians, even the Burgundians made it in. As the Byzantine empire weakened, diplomatic efforts and refugee movements increased. After 1453 Trebizond held on till 1461. Plenty of time for people and books to make the journey.
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While it may seem unlikely, at first, the Genoese were in the Black Sea a century before the VMs C-14 dates, and the Venetians, even the Burgundians made it in. As the Byzantine empire weakened, diplomatic efforts and refugee movements increased. After 1453 Trebizond held on till 1461. Plenty of time for people and books to make the journey.