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Sep 15, 1254
Born
Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254 into a wealthy and cosmopolitan Venetian. -
Period: Jan 1, 1260 to Jan 1, 1269
Marco Polo's father's and brother's journey
In 1260 Niccolo and Maffeo Polo left Venice to travel to the Black sea, moving on to central Asia and joining a diplomatic mission to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China. They arrived back in Venice in 1269. -
Period: Jan 1, 1271 to Jan 1, 1292
Marco's journey
The party sailed south from Venice through the Mediterranean to the Holy Land. They had brought two friars — the best they could do for Kublai Khan’s request — but upon getting a taste of difficult travel life, the friars turned back. The Polos continued, traveling primarily overland and swinging north and south through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, and the Pamir Mountains. Then, they cut across the vast Gobi Desert to Beijing. He stayed in China for 20 years. -
May 1, 1271
Reach King Khan
After 3 1/2 years traveling they reach King Khan's summer palce at Shangdu in May 1271. -
Jan 1, 1292
Set sail
Marco sets of back for Venice in a fleet of Chinese junks. King Khan asks him to accomany a Mongo princces, who was to marry a Persian Chieftain. -
Jan 1, 1294
Captured
A little after Marco get's back was captured by the Genoese. While in jail Marco wrights a book about his journey. -
Jan 1, 1324
die
Marco Polo died in 1324 in Venice.