historical essay
Marco Polo was born in 1254 in Venice, Italy, in a wealthy and merchant family.
In 1260, the first journey east of Marco Polo’s father and uncle, Nicolo and Maffeo Polo, set out and they arrived at the court of Kublai Khan in 1265. The Polos brought 100 European priests to Kublai Khan according to the suggestion and they returned to Venice in 1269.
In 1271, Marco Polo had his first journey when he was 15 years old after his mother’s death. He departed with his father and uncle to China and they passed through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, Gobi desert and along the Silk Road to China. After over three years, the Polos reached China. The wisdom and behavior of Marco Polo impressed Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor; therefore, he served as a special envoy for Kublai Khan. However, the Polos wanted to return home after 17 years living in China because they were homesick and worried that if Kublai Khan died, they may not able to take their fortune home. Kublai Khan consented to their wish if they accompanied Princess Kokachin to Persia for her wedding.
The Polos were respected by the people in city when they returned to Venice in 1295. However, the war was going on between Venice and Genoa at this time. After three years, he became a commander of a galley and joined the war. Unfortunately, his ship was defeated and he was taken as a prisoner.
In 1298, while in prison, Marco Polo met a writer called Rustichello of Pisa, he narrated to the writer the stories of his experiences in China, Japan and other Eastern countries. Rustichello was carefully written down and completed the book with the name called The Travels of Marco Polo. After that, the book was popular, some people believed the truths of the stories but most Europeans dismissed. Marco Polo was released from prison after the war ended in the summer of 1299. He returned to Venice and became a wealthy merchant. In 1300, he married Donata Badoer and they had three daughters together.
Marco Polo died in 1324, aged
In 1260, the first journey east of Marco Polo’s father and uncle, Nicolo and Maffeo Polo, set out and they arrived at the court of Kublai Khan in 1265. The Polos brought 100 European priests to Kublai Khan according to the suggestion and they returned to Venice in 1269.
In 1271, Marco Polo had his first journey when he was 15 years old after his mother’s death. He departed with his father and uncle to China and they passed through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, Gobi desert and along the Silk Road to China. After over three years, the Polos reached China. The wisdom and behavior of Marco Polo impressed Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor; therefore, he served as a special envoy for Kublai Khan. However, the Polos wanted to return home after 17 years living in China because they were homesick and worried that if Kublai Khan died, they may not able to take their fortune home. Kublai Khan consented to their wish if they accompanied Princess Kokachin to Persia for her wedding.
The Polos were respected by the people in city when they returned to Venice in 1295. However, the war was going on between Venice and Genoa at this time. After three years, he became a commander of a galley and joined the war. Unfortunately, his ship was defeated and he was taken as a prisoner.
In 1298, while in prison, Marco Polo met a writer called Rustichello of Pisa, he narrated to the writer the stories of his experiences in China, Japan and other Eastern countries. Rustichello was carefully written down and completed the book with the name called The Travels of Marco Polo. After that, the book was popular, some people believed the truths of the stories but most Europeans dismissed. Marco Polo was released from prison after the war ended in the summer of 1299. He returned to Venice and became a wealthy merchant. In 1300, he married Donata Badoer and they had three daughters together.
Marco Polo died in 1324, aged