Explorers of the world schlessinger marco polo
Marco Polo
(1254-1324)
Who Was Marco Polo?
Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer famous for the book The Travels of Marco Polo, which describes his voyage to and experiences in Asia. Polo traveled extensively with his family, journeying from Europe to Asia from 1271 to 1295 and remaining in China for 17 of those years. Around 1292, he left China, acting as escort along the way to a Mongol princess who was being sent to Persia.
Early Life
Polo was born in 1254, in Venice, Italy. Although he was born to a wealthy Venetian merchant family, much of Polo’s childhood was spent parentless, and he was raised by an extended family. Polo's mother died when he was young, and his father and uncle, successful jewel merchants Niccolo and Maffeo Polo, were in Asia for much of Polo's youth.
Niccolo and Maffeo’s journeys brought them into present-day China, where they joined a diplomatic mission to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol head whose grandfather, Genghis Khan, had conquered Northeast Asia. In 1269, the two men returned to Venice and immediately started making plans for their return to Khan's court. During their linger with the leader, Khan had expressed his interest in Christ
Explorers Podcast
In 1271, 17-year old Marco Polo, would set out from Venice with his father and uncle on a journey into the Mongol Empire that would last 24 years and cover more than 15,000 miles. When he returned, he recount his tales, which would be written down, and in the process, becoming one of the most important pieces of literature in western history – The Travels of Marco Polo. The book would provide Europe with one of the first comprehensive looks into the lands of the Far East, including China, Persia, India and Japan.
Episodes
Marco Polo – Part 1
In part 1 of our series, we first take a look at the journey of Marco’s father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, who traveled to China and met the great Kublai Khan. We then follow the Polo family as they prepare for a return mission into the heart of the Mongol Empire.
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Marco Polo – Part 2 – The Silk Road
In part 2 of our series, Marco Polo and his family travel from the Middle East to China along the fabled Silk Road. At the end of their journey, Marco will be introduced to the legendary Kublai Khan.
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Marco Polo
Explorer
Medieval
Quick Facts:
Marco Polo is known for traveling along the Silk Road to China, where he explored and documented much of Asia not yet explored by Europeans.
Marco Polo
Mosaic of the explorer Marco Polo
Introduction
Marco Polo was a merchant in Venice before he became the famous explorer we know today. At 17, he left Venice with his father and uncle. They traveled the Silk Road to China where he met the great ruler Kublai Khan. Marco traveled much of China and the east, and his stories were written into a popular book. His book would go on to inspire other explorers. It is even said that Marco Polo’s exciting stories were a favorite of another famous explorer – Christopher Columbus.1
Biography
Early Life
Marco Polo was born in 1254 in Venice, Italy. Not much is known of his early childhood. He was born into a family of wealthy merchants. His father and uncle, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo, were merchants who traveled often to Asia to trade valuable materials such as jewels and silk. As a child of a merchant family, he would have received a nice education that included reading, writing, and basic math.2 Marco’s story begins with
Introduction
Hey there, readers! Today, we’re venturing into uncharted territory with the captivating "Marco Polo: Explorers of the World" DVD by the renowned National Geographic filmmaker, Michael Schlessinger. This enthralling documentary brings the extraordinary life and journeys of the legendary explorer Marco Polo to life on your screens.
Get ready to embark on an epic adventure that spans continents, immersing you in the vibrant tapestry of ancient worlds. From the bustling streets of 13th-century Venice to the remote provinces of the Silk Road, this DVD offers an unparalleled perspective on one of history’s most influential explorers. Let’s dive right into the heart of this extraordinary tale!
Marco Polo: The Man and His Legacy
The Trailblazing Explorer
Born in the heart of the Venetian Republic in 1254, Marco Polo’s adventurous spirit propelled him to become one of the most celebrated explorers of all time. His legendary journey across the vast expanses of Asia left an enduring mark on the historical landscape, forever connecting the Eastern and Western worlds.
A Legacy of Discovery and Exchange
Marco Polo’s expedition
Travelers and Explorers, Part 2: Marco Polo (1254-1324) — Opening the Door to the East
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Marco Polo’s legacy is arguably the greatest of any medieval figure. While he was by no means the first European to reach China – his father and uncle did so a generation earlier, making the younger Polo’s journey possible in the first place– his account, The Travels of Marco Polo, popularized knowledge of India and Asia across the continent. It was a massive bestseller in its first print run and defined ideas about China and the Orient for centuries to come; it has remained in print for centuries and a bestseller ever since. In it he discussed the fabulous wealth of China and the court of Kublai Khan.
While much of his account is filled with incredible exaggerations or outright fictions – mythological animals make numerous cameos in the work – it inspired a new generation of explorers to push past the extents of the known world. His book was incorporated into some important maps of the later Middle Ages, such as the Catalan World Map of 1375, which was read with great interest in the next century by Henry the Navigator and Columbus. The effects of his journey on Euro