Marco Polo
By: Tyler Pence
Early Life:
Marco Polo was born 1254. He lived in Venice, Italy. His mother died when he was young, and his father was gone a lot so he was raised by extended family. He grew up in a wealthy merchant family. He went to Mongol and met the leader Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. Kublai asked him to travel to rome to speak about Christianity to the pope on his behalf. He also asked Marco to bring 100 priests and some holy water back.
Journey To China:
His father took young Marco with them to Asia. They made their way to the Middle East they were only able to get 2 priests, but after the days and days of harsh weather and everything else they turned around and went back home. After 4 years of travel they reached china. They then went to Kublai Khan. Kublai was staying at his summer palace, Xanadu.
Journey Home
Marco, his father, and uncle went back to Kublai Khan and he thought highly of Marco. In that time with Marco and the Chinese culture he mastered 4 languages. Finally after 17 years in Khan's court they decided to go back home. Khan didn't like the idea of Marco leaving so he gave him one last journey. He was to deliver a Mongol princess to Persia.
Boat Home
The Polos had to travel by sea. There were several hundred of people but by the then end there were only 18 passengers not including the Polos and the princess. When they finally reached Venice they were gone for 23 years. Marco Polo died January 8, 1324. His legacy inspired tons of other people to travel. With Christopher Columbus crosses the Atlantic Ocean he had a copy of Marco Polo's book.