1254-1324
Explorer, Merchant, And Author

Childhood. Marco Polo was born into a noble family and grew up in Venice (although his place of birth is uncertain). He was reared with the traditional education for Italian boys—trained in the classics and theology. He knew French as well as Italian and was interested in "the ways of people and interesting plants and animals." When Marco was six years old, Niccolo and Maffeo, his father and uncle, respectively, traveled to Cathay (China) and met Kublai Khan. They left China with good relations and the intention to return. When the Polo brothers returned to Venice, Marco was fifteen years old, and his mother had passed away. Two years later, when he was seventeen, Marco left home with his father and uncle and accompanied them on their return trip to China.

Explorer. With his father and uncle, Marco traveled...