Prologue Summary and Analysis

Narrator of Marco Polo's travels proclaims this book will describe all the "great wonders and curiosities" of many territories including Armenia, Persia, Tartars, India and other lands. Tales are described to him by Marco Polo who claims to see these things with his own eyes. The narrator affirms Marco Polo is a wise, noble Venetian citizen who tells the truth. Marco wants a written record so others learn from it. Narrator Rustichello of Pisa records these tales in 1298 to occupy his time while they are both in a Genoa prison.

Marco's father Niccolo and Maffeo his uncle are Venetian merchants in Constantinople when they start a venture sailing to Sudak to sell jewels in 1260. Later they travel to the court of Barka Khan, lord of Tartary. Barka Khan and Hulaga, Khan of Levant Tartars begin a war that Hulaga wins. The...