Final answer:
The contrasting qualities of Mongols highlighted by Piano Carpini reveal differing societal values between nomadic and sedentary cultures, possibly critiquing the rigid hierarchies and the undervaluation of merchants in his own society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The qualities of the Mongols that Piano Carpini emphasizes can tell us a lot about his own society and its values or shortcomings. Whereas sedentary societies like the one Carpini came from placed great importance on agriculture and fixed land ownership, viewing merchants as contributing less to society, the Mongols had a completely different perspective. They valued the mobility and flexibility of nomadic life, prioritized military prowess over farming, and did not place value on permanent settlements or monuments.
The Mongols' perspective could signify either an appreciation for different societal structures or a criticism of the rigidity and hierarchy inherent in settled societies. Piano Carpini's observations, therefore, may reflect a comparison between Mongol values—such as their effective use of military strategy, egalitarian distribution of goods, and adaptability—and the perceived rigidity or inequality of his own society's hierarchy, which placed disproportionate value on agriculture and static land possession.