Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who is best known for his travels to the Mongol Empire and China. He was born in 1254 in the Republic of Venice, and his father, Niccolò Polo, and uncle, Maffeo Polo, were both successful merchants who traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia.
As a young man, Marco Polo joined his father and uncle on their travels and together they set out on a journey to the East. They traveled through Asia Minor, Persia, and into the Mongol Empire, which was then ruled by the famous Mongol leader, Genghis Khan. Marco Polo spent many years in the Mongol Empire and became a confidant of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and the ruler of China.
During his time in the Mongol Empire, Marco Polo traveled extensively throughout the region, including to the court of Kublai Khan in China. He was one of the first Europeans to visit the Chinese capital of Khanbaliq (now Beijing) and was impressed by the advanced civilization he encountered there. He wrote about the many wonders he saw in China, including the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, and the vast palaces and gardens of the Mongol rulers.
Marco Polo's adventures in the East were not without danger, however. He was captured and imprisoned during a war between the Genoese and Venetians, and it was during this time that he dictated his famous book, "The Travels of Marco Polo," to a fellow prisoner. This book became one of the most widely read and translated books in Europe and has been credited with introducing many Europeans to the wonders of the East.
After his release from prison, Marco Polo returned to Venice and resumed his merchant activities. He became a wealthy man and was respected in his community, but he is best remembered for his travels and his contributions to the knowledge of the East in Europe. Marco Polo died in 1324, but his legacy lives on as one of the most famous explorers and travelers in history.
Marco Polo summary
When lighted, it burns like charcoal, and retains the fire much better than wood; inso- much that it may be preserved during the night, and in the morning be found still burning. The Silk Road 130 BCE-1453 comprised several trade routes used to connect Europe to Asia at this time. By this time he had become an enthusiastic admirer of the Mongol people, quite at odds with the opinion in most of the 13th century Europe. Ahmad sits on the Khan's throne in Cambulac. With Nayan and Kaidu set on destroying Kublai, and Kublai realizing it now that Ahmad's been outed, the forces are set to collide in the final two episodes of the season. His father and uncle had met the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan during their first trip to China and had told him they would return. It is during his time in prison when he met his long term friend and fellow writer Rustichello.
Throughout this province there is found a sort of black stone, which they dig out of the mountains, where it runs in veins. Byamba is off on his own following barrels of black powder that he believes will reveal something corrupt. The representatives asked Polo and his dad to accompany them and so they were allowed to go back to Persia together with the wedding party. The Khan's Vice Regent has made it clear that he wants Kublai gone, and he sees Kaidu as his own tool. Marco is banished from the tent, but only after the Blue Princess whispers her secret to him, and Kublai heads toward a vote that will impact his empire and legacy. Nayan is less enthused about this idea, but when he proves his religious value to the Pope and the two agree to work together, he's swayed.
Keep in mind the printing press wasn't invented until 1439, so the books were handwritten and mistakes were made. Nevertheless, most of the book's description of Kublai Kahn's court and customs have been authenticated by historians. During his time in prison, he dictated his travels to a fellow inmate. When the battle is over, Nayan is crucified and the Khan must reckon with the fact that Ahmad has betrayed him. Polo was only 15 years old when he left Venice on the great adventure that took him to the court of Kublai Khan His father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo Polo had made the journey previously.
He also had the opportunity to visit Burma, India, and Tibet, places to which Europeans hadn't previously traveled. They reached Palestine, where the papal legate, Teobaldo of Piacenza, gave them letters for the Mongol emperor. The book explains the wealth of Europe, China, and other European countries. In 1260, Maffeo and Niccolo were living in Constantinople. Source: National Library of France, Wikipedia Commons public domain. The book's name was however changed to The Travels of Marco Polo.
Some people believe he never made it down the Silk Road There are those who believe that Polo never took the journey down the Silk Road to China and in fact, made it no further than the Black Sea. It took Marco Polo three years to get to China. William Marsden, Charleston, SC: Forgotten Books, 2010. The situation is about to get even more complicated because the real Princess Kokachin shows up, apparently not dead like we all believed, and wants her life back. Byamba, who she's now separated from, is demoted to foot soldier by Ahmad, who's still working on his own plans to dethrone Kublai. The two foresaw a serious political change and the brothers liquidated their assets into jewels and left the place.
His Il-Million The Million , known in English as the Travels of Marco Polo, became a geographical classic. In Niccolo's absence, Marco's mother had died, leaving him to be raised and educated by an aunt and uncle. Kublai Khan himself died while the Polos were en route to Persia. He returned to Venice, where he died on January 8, 1324. Khan welcomed them into his palace. The total distance traveled by the Polos came close to 24,000 kilometers 15,000 miles.
Khan refused to let Polo leave his service The Polos finally grew homesick, but Khan valued their services so much, he refused to let them go. On the one hand, it offered certain factual information and served as an educational source. Trade in the Mediterranean and Beyond Venice was one of several Italian city-states that grew in power during the 13th century as they separated themselves from the Holy Roman Empire. There are harbingers of death all around, though. Khan had requested an envoy to bring him oil of lamp of Jerusalem. Retrieved 2 April 2011. They returned to Venice in 1295, after 24 years, with many riches and treasures.
Marco Polo's father and uncle had established ties with Kublai Khan earlier, and they returned with Marco around 1275. The two met while in prison, where Polo dictated the stories of his travels and his adventures at the court of Kublai Khan. His father, The Travels of Marco Polo, they passed through much of Asia, and met with Almost nothing is known about the childhood of Marco Polo until he was fifteen years old, except that he probably spent part of his childhood in Venice. They had been gone a total of 24 years. The Travels of Marco Polo, p. Marco studied the Chinese language. Marco is imprisoned by Kublai and sentenced to death because of Kublai's defeat by Jia's trap.
Marco's family acquired a lot of wealth having traded with the Middle East for a long time. Both his father and uncle were merchants. They departed for Asia again in 1271, taking 17-year-old Marco with them. He was influential in Christopher Columbus' decision to strike out for unknown territory Columbus is said to have been inspired by Polo's adventures and took a copy of The Travels of Marco Polo on his Westward sail two centuries after Polo's journey to China. Some were able to flee.
