Marco Polo

Marco Polo (c. 1254 – 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in The Travels of Marco Polo, a book that described the then-mysterious culture and inner workings of the Eastern world, including the wealth and great size of the Mongol Empire and China under the Yuan dynasty.

Born in Venice, Marco learned the mercantile trade from his father and his uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, who travelled through Asia and met Kublai Khan. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, exploring many places along the Silk Road until they reached "Cathay". They were received by the royal court of Kublai Khan, who was impressed by Marco's intelligence and humility.

Around 1291, the Polos offered to accompany the Mongol princess Kököchin to Persia; they arrived there around 1293. After leaving the princess, they travelled overland to Constantinople and then to Venice, returning home after 24 years. At this time, Venice was at war with Genoa. Marco joined the war effort on behalf of Venice and was captured by the Genoans.

Though he was not the first European to reach China, Marco Polo was the first to leave a detailed chronicle of his experience. His account provided the Europeans with a clear picture of the East's geography and ethnic customs, and it included the first Western record of porcelain, gunpowder, paper money, and some Asian plants and exotic animals. His narrative inspired Christopher Columbus and many other travellers.

Life

Marco Polo was born around 1254 in Venice. His father and uncle were merchants who traveled through Asia and met the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. Marco joined them on a journey to Asia in 1271 when he was seventeen years old. They traveled to China, where Marco served as an emissary for Kublai Khan, exploring many parts of the empire and nearby lands.

After many years, the Polos returned to Venice in 1295, bringing back stories and treasures from their travels. Marco later wrote a book about his adventures, sharing with Europeans what life was like in the Far East for the first time.

The Travels of Marco Polo

Main article: The Travels of Marco Polo

Further information: Franco-Mongol alliance and Byzantine-Mongol alliance

Marco Polo's book, The Travels of Marco Polo, tells the story of his adventures in Asia. It was written down by a writer named Rustichello while both were prisoners. The book describes many places and cultures that Europeans did not know much about at the time, including China and other parts of Asia.

The book has many different versions because it was copied by hand many times before printing was invented. Some parts of the story might be exaggerated or added for excitement, but many details match what we know from other sources. Marco Polo's book was very popular and helped people in Europe learn about the world far away.

Scholarly analyses

Scholars have questioned whether Marco Polo wrote his book based on what he saw or if he heard stories from others. Some point out that he didn’t mention important things like the Great Wall of China or chopsticks. Others argue that these omissions don’t mean he didn’t travel to China. For example, the Great Wall as we know it today was built much later, and some historians think it wasn’t a big deal during Polo’s time.

Supporters say Polo’s book is mostly accurate and gives us valuable information about life in China during the Yuan dynasty. They note that many of his descriptions match what we know from other sources and Chinese records. Overall, most scholars believe Marco Polo did travel to China, even if he may have exaggerated some parts of his story.

Legacy

See also: Age of Discovery, Europeans in Medieval China, Chronology of European exploration of Asia, Jorge Álvares, and Rafael Perestrello

Marco Polo's book about his travels was the first to share detailed information about Asia with Europeans. It inspired other explorers, including Christopher Columbus, who kept a copy with his own notes. Another explorer, Bento de Góis, traveled far across Central Asia and reached the Great Wall of China in 1605, proving that the land he called Cathay was actually China.

Marco Polo's journey may have helped Europeans understand mapping better, leading to more exploration. Although he did not draw maps himself, his family made some based on his stories. There is also a popular but incorrect legend that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy — pasta was already known there long before his travels.

The explorer is remembered in many ways. There is a breed of sheep called the Marco Polo sheep named after him. A famous ship and an airport in Venice are also named in his honor. Marco Polo's stories have inspired many books, films, games, and television shows over the years.