fl. 1200s

Venetian merchant and trader who made several extended trips into central Asia to the court of Kublai Khan. He made the first trip, 1253-1269, with his brother Niccoló; the second, 1271-1295, with Niccoló and Niccoló's son Marco. They were among the first Europeans to visit this part of the world. The account of their travels published by Marco Polo encouraged Europeans to extend their explorations and trade during the subsequent Age of Exploration.