Marco Polo was a noted explorer who was famous for traveling China's Silk Road. He chronicled his journey in his book The Travels of Marco Polo.
Fast Facts:
- Timeline: 1254-1324
- Lived for 17 years in China
- Employed by Kublai Khan
- Governor of Yangzhou for a time
- Fought against the Genoese but was captured
- In prison he wrote an account of his adventures in The Travels of Marco Polo
Brief Background
Marco Polo is generally considered to be born in Venice in 1254. He was raised in a family of merchants who conducted trade in the East.
At the age of 17, Polo embarked on his journey along the Silk Road with his father and uncle. When he arrived in China, Polo gained favor with emperor Kublai Khan and was appointed as a governor of Yangzhou for three years.
According to Polo, he and his family had asked several times to be allowed to go home, but Kublai Khan denied them passage out of China. Eventually Polo was granted permission to leave, and he returned to Venice, where he got married, had three children and died at the age of 70.
Marco Polo Timeline
1254: Born Venice, Italy
1271: Left for China with his father and uncle
1275: Arrived in China and spent 17 years in Kublai Hahn's realm
1292: Left China
1298: Captain of a Venitian galley. Participated in battle between Venice & Genoa
1298: Taken prisoner
1324: Died at almost 70 years old
Marco Polo Satire and Humor
YouTube: Stewie Plays Marco Polo (Time: 0:23)
Answer Bag: How the Game Marco Polo Got Its Name
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