Marco Polo

Set sail

Nov 8, 1229

Marco Polo set sail in a fleet of Chinese junks, tans in 1292. The Khan asked them to accompany a Mongol princess, who is to marry a Persian chieftain.

Personal life

Sep 15, 1254

Marco polo was born in Venice 1254 on the 15th September in a wealthy family. Marco Polo’s Father, Niccolo and uncle Maffeo Polo were successful jewel merchants who spent Most of Marco’s childhood in Asia.

Peace to the region

Jan 1, 1260

This changed the 13th century when the Mongols, led by Genhis Khan, conquered a huge area stretching from eastern Europe to China, bringing peace to the region. At last, Merchants could travel freely across Asia. The Italian Polo brothers were among the first Europeans to set of from Venice in 1260.

The brothers travelled to China

Jan 1, 1262

1262 till 1269, Niccolo and Maffeo travelled to China.

Back home

Jan 1, 1269

Marco Polo's father Niccolo and his Uncle Maffeo were merchants from Venice. After a 14 year trading voyage, they returned to there city in 1269. In that time, they had travelled all the way to china. Ther they met its ruler, Kublai Khan. Intrigued by the westerners, the Khan had asked them to retur to him with 100 learned men sent by the pope to discuss Christianity.

Travelled to Mongol empire

Jan 1, 1271

1271 till 1295 Marco Polo travelled around Mongol empire.

The journey begins

Jan 1, 1271

When Marco was 15, his father and uncle returned home from Asia. Though the pope did not agree with their request, the Polo brothers decided to return to Asia. This time, they took around 17 year old Marco polo in 1271.

Where they travled

May 1, 1275

. They sailed south from Venice, Italy in the Mediterranean to middle east. Then they traveled on a horse southeast overland to Persian (now known as Iran.) The journey took 21 years The Polo’s reached Kublai Khan’s summer palace at shangdy, May 1275, the journey took 3 ½ years so far.

The Mongol wife died

Jan 1, 1288

In 1288, ambassadors from persia arrived at the court of Kublai Khan. They reported that the loved Mongol wife of Kublai Khan who ruled Persia had died. Her last wish was that her husband should take a lady from her own clan for his next wife. The ambassadors asked Kublai Khan to select a woman to come back with him.

Return to Europe

Jan 1, 1290

By 1290, the Polo's were ready to return to Europe, Seeing the great Khan age, they feared that they would lose there position when he died, but they were also very homesick.

Set sail in fleet

Jan 1, 1292

Marco Polo set sail in a fleet of Chinese junks tans and left Cathay in 1292. The Khan asked them to accompany a Mongol princess, who is to marry a Persian chieftain.

Time to go home

Jan 1, 1295

It was time to go home. With an escort of Mongol horsemen, the Polo's set out on their jorney and rode by daily stages till they reached Trebizond they sailed to Constantinople, then to Negropont (the Greek island of Euboea), and from Negropont to Venice. This was the year of the Incarnation of christ 1295, Marco Polo reported.

Marco tells his travels

Jan 1, 1298

In 1298, soon after he returned home, Marco Polo was captured by Genose who were at war with Venice. While in prison, he told the story of his travels to a fellow prisoner, a man named Rustichello, who wrote it down in French.

People that are lost

Nov 11, 1324

Marco's mother died when he was young therefore, young Marco was primarily raised by extended family. Then he died in Venice 1324.