The various ways in which European man has benifited from Marco Polo's Travels. Covers most of Marco's life, and many ways which Europe has benifitted from it.

Essay by Blackk_geckoJunior High, 9th gradeA-, May 2004

download word file, 4 pages 0.0

Downloaded 25 times

Marco Polo Essay

Essay Question: Discuss the various ways in which European man has benefited from Marco polo's travels.

In the vast field of exploration, no single European has made such a great contribution as that of Marco Polo. He had seen places that Europeans have only discovered in the last Century, he travelled further than any of his predecessors, and explored many places throughout Asia, and learnt of many different cultures, all which he recorded in his journal, which later became a guide for later European travellers.

Marco Polo was the son of Maffeo Polo, born in 1254, in either the Curzola trading outpost, or Venice. His father and uncle, Niccilo Polo, were also explorers, which greatly influenced Marco's life. At the age of six, Marco set out on a journey to Cathay, now China, with his father and uncle. Many years later, they returned to Venice, to find that Marco's mother had died.

About two years later, the three of them set out once again, to Cathay. During this journey they passed through many foreign lands, and met different people. Marco learnt much of the different cultures, traditions, technology and safe paths to travel, during this time. They travelled through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, the Pamirs, and along the Silk road to China. In 1275, they finally reached the capitol of Kublai Khan, in Shang-Tu. This journey had taken three years, and was a distance of around 5600 miles.

Marco had eventually become appointed to high posts in the Khans administration. He was sent to many places by the Khan, including China, Burma (Madagascar) and India. Most of the places he visited were not seen by other Europeans until centuries after his passing. During Marco's long stay at the Capitol, he wrote down many things about...