Marco polo facts biography samples

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Bento de Góis, inspired by Polo's writings about a Christian kingdom in the east, traveled 4,000 miles (6,400 km) in three years across Central Asia. While he might have exaggerated his own importance a little, the detailed and accurate information in his book about China's economy, geography, and customs strongly supports that he was there and saw these things for himself.

How Marco Polo is Remembered

• The Marco Polo sheep, a type of wild sheep found in the Pamir Mountains, is named after the explorer.
  

  Kublai welcomed them warmly and asked many questions about European laws and politics, and about the Pope and the Church in Rome. Ironically, both he and Marco Polo died, never knowing that a New Continent existed.

  Marco Polo's Early Years

  Marco Polo was born to his father, Niccolo, and a mother who is unknown. Most notably, Christopher Columbus.

  The Travels of Marco Polo was the first detailed account of the wealth of China to Europeans.

  Polo was released from captivity in 1299.

  Kublai Khan was very impressed by Marco's intelligence and humble nature. He gave the Polos one last important task: to accompany the Mongol princess Kököchin, who was going to marry Arghun Khan in Persia. He likely spent part of it in Venice. He also forgave several debts.

  The exact date of his death is a little unclear due to how days were counted back then, but it was likely between January 8 and 9, 1324.

  Marco Polo's Impact and Legacy

  Inspiring Future Explorers

  Other European explorers, like Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, had already traveled to China, but Marco Polo's book was the first to become widely known.

  No original manuscript of his book exists, though even an original artifact would constitute secondhand information, since the book was dictated by Polo to Rustichello. Marco was released in 1299, became a rich merchant, got married, and had three children. He left money to the church and to the convent of San Lorenzo, where he wished to be buried.

  Other Europeans who visited China during the Yuan dynasty also didn't mention the wall.

  As for things like footbinding (a practice of tightly binding girls' feet), it wasn't common even among Chinese people during Polo's time and was almost unknown among the Mongols. His story about the princess Kököchin being sent from China to Persia to marry the Īl-khān is also confirmed by independent sources in both Persia and China.

  Was Everything True?

  Historians have discussed why Marco Polo didn't mention certain things.

  Some examples of cities he visited in China are Dadu (where Beijing is located today), Xanadu (Shangdu), Xi'an, and Hangzhou.
  

  Where is Marco Polo buried?
  Church of San Lorenzo, Venice, Italy

  Related Pages

  Images for kids

  • He greatly influenced European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Fra Mauro map.

  • Corte del Milion is still named after the nickname of Polo, "Il Milione"

  • San Lorenzo church in the sestiere of Castello (Venice), where Polo was buried.

    They became very wealthy and respected. They believed this nickname was used to tell Niccolò's and Marco's family branch apart from other Polo families.

    An Epic Journey to Asia

    A mosaic of Marco Polo displayed in the Palazzo Doria-Tursi, Genoa, Italy.

    Marco's father, Niccolò Polo, and his uncle, Maffeo Polo, were successful merchants who traded with the Near East.

    Whether viewed as a historical figure or a legendary storyteller, Marco Polo's legacy endures. On January 8, 1324, he was on his deathbed. Recent research suggests he might have had another daughter, Agnese, before 1300.

    Marco Polo is mentioned in Venetian documents after 1305, showing he continued to be an active and wealthy citizen.

    Death

    In 1323, Marco Polo became ill.

    However, he did reintroduce forgotten spices, such as ginger. They had traveled almost 15,000 miles (24,000 km)!

    Imprisonment and the Book

    Polo wearing a Tartar outfit, from an 18th-century print.

    Marco Polo returned to Venice in 1295 with his fortune, which he had converted into valuable gemstones.

    He received a good education for a merchant, learning about foreign money, how to value goods, and how to manage cargo ships.

    Related:What Did Leonardo da Vinci Invent?

    The Book’s Impact

    When The Travels of Marco Polo was published around 1300, most Europeans knew very little about other civilizations.