Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer whose travels to Asia became one of the most well-known adventures of the Middle Ages. His journey opened the doors to a deeper European understanding of the Eastern world.

Mosaic of Marco Polo displayed in the Palazzo Doria-Tursi, Genoa, Italy

In the article below, WHE explores the life and major accomplishments of this Venetian explorer and merchant:

Born into a noble and merchant family in Venice, Marco Polo grew up hearing tales of travel. His father, Niccolò, and his uncle, Maffeo, were merchants who had journeyed to China. When Marco was seventeen, he joined them on a journey that lasted 24 years.

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The Polos traveled through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, and into the Mongol Empire. They eventually reached the court of the powerful Mongol leader, Kublai Khan. Marco won the favor of Kublai Khan and was appointed to various administrative positions in his kingdom. This allowed him to travel extensively throughout Asia, amassing knowledge and understanding of its diverse cultures and traditions.

Major Accomplishments

Detail of the Catalan Atlas depicting Marco Polo travelling to the East during the Pax Mongolica

Marco Polo, a Venetian explorer, journeyed extensively across Asia, serving Kublai Khan and penning “The Travels of Marco Polo”, bridging cultural understanding between the East and West.

Detailed Exploration of Asia: Marco traveled further than any of his European predecessors during his time in Asia. He ventured as far as Mongolia and China, exploring places Europeans had never been.
Service to Kublai Khan: Marco Polo wasn’t just a passive traveler; he served the Yuan Dynasty’s Kublai Khan in various capacities, including as a special envoy.
“The Travels of Marco Polo”: After returning to Venice, Marco was captured during a conflict with the rival city of Genoa. In prison, he narrated his experiences to a fellow inmate, Rustichello da Pisa, who penned them down. This account, known as “The Travels of Marco Polo”, or “Il Milione”, became a sensation in Europe. Though some contemporaries expressed skepticism about his tales, the book laid the groundwork for the Age of Discovery by inspiring many, including Christopher Columbus.
Introduction of Asian Goods: The Polos returned with precious goods, including silks, spices, and perhaps most notably, stories of paper money, which was then an unknown concept in Europe.
Cultural Exchange: Marco’s detailed accounts of Chinese culture, governance, economy, and more provided Europeans a first comprehensive insight into life in the East. This fostered a greater understanding and curiosity about the East in Europe.

Questions and Answers on Marco Polo

Marco Polo traveled to Asia in 1271 and returned to Venice in 1295. He spent approximately 24 years traveling and living in various parts of Asia, including significant time at the court of Kublai Khan in China. Image: 16th-century portrait of Marco Polo

Who was Marco Polo and what is he most famous for?

Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and adventurer, born around 1254 in Venice and died on January 8, 1324, in Venice. He is most famous for his travels from Europe to Asia between 1271 and 1295, and for spending 17 years in China. His adventures were famously chronicled in his work “Il Milione,” known in English as “The Travels of Marco Polo,” which played a crucial role in shaping European understanding of Asian geography, culture, and politics.

How did Marco Polo’s family background influence his travels?

Marco Polo’s journey was influenced by his father, Niccolò, and his uncle, Maffeo, who had been involved in trade with the Middle East for many years, amassing significant wealth and influence. The Polo family, anticipating political upheaval in Constantinople around 1260, liquidated their assets and converted their wealth into jewels. This foresight and their successful business dealings with Berke Khan in the Mongol Empire laid the groundwork for Marco’s later travels.

What initiated the Polos’ journey to Asia and how did it begin?

The Polos’ journey to Asia began after political events prevented their return to Venice. They traveled eastward to Bukhara and eventually reached the summer residence of Kublai Khan, the grand khan, in Shangdu (Xanadu). Establishing friendly relations with Kublai Khan, they were tasked with returning to Europe to request the Pope to send 100 learned men to the Mongol court. Marco, at the age of 15 or 16, joined his father and uncle on their second journey to Asia in 1271.

What route did the Polos take through the Middle East and Central Asia?

The Polos traveled through Ayas in southeastern Turkey, Erzurum, and Tabriz in northern Iran. They decided against a sea passage from Hormuz to India, opting to travel overland to the Mongol capital. They crossed the deserts of Khorasan in eastern Iran, then moved northward to the more hospitable Badakhshan region in Afghanistan. They crossed the Pamirs and reached Kashi in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China. Following the Silk Road, they passed through various oases before arriving in Shazhou (Dunhuang) on the borders of China.

What roles did Marco Polo and his family play in the Mongol Empire?

For the next 16 or 17 years, the Polos lived in the dominions of Kublai Khan. Marco Polo, who knew several languages, was frequently sent on fact-finding missions by Kublai Khan, traveling to regions like Yunnan in southwestern China and southeastern China. Marco may have held administrative responsibilities, possibly overseeing customs duties and revenues. According to some accounts, he governed Yangzhou for three years, though this claim is disputed.

What was significant about the Polos’ journey back to Europe?

Around 1292, the Polos were asked to escort a Mongol princess to Persia, a mission they eagerly accepted due to fears of instability following Kublai Khan’s death. Their journey involved a fleet of 14 ships with stops in Vietnam, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, and India, before reaching Hormuz and then Khorasan. After delivering the princess, the Polos traveled back to Europe, reaching Venice in 1295 after being robbed in Trebizond.

How did “The Travels of Marco Polo” come to be written?

Soon after returning to Venice, Marco Polo was captured by the Genoese during a skirmish and imprisoned in Genoa. There, he met Rustichello da Pisa, who helped him compile his travel stories into “Il Milione.” The book, written in Franco-Italian, became an instant success and provided detailed descriptions of Asia based on Marco’s experiences and information gathered from others.

What impact did Marco Polo’s writings have on Europe?

Marco Polo’s detailed accounts provided Europeans with their first comprehensive understanding of Asian geography, culture, and politics. His descriptions of technologies and products, such as gunpowder, paper money, and porcelain, greatly influenced European knowledge and trade. Polo’s writings inspired explorers like Christopher Columbus and significantly contributed to European cartography.

How do modern scholars view Marco Polo’s accounts?

Despite skepticism and controversy surrounding his accounts, modern scholarship generally recognizes that Marco Polo faithfully reported what he saw and heard. His work opened new vistas for Europeans, encouraging further exploration and trade during the Age of Discovery.