The Great Marco Polo
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Marco Polo was an important person in European history. He was an Italian merchant that traveled to China with his father and his uncle. Marco was important because he was the one that told the Europeans about the richness and unusual sights in China, which led to increased trade between Europe and China. He also influenced Christopher Columbus to go exploring and discover America.
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Marco Polo was an Italian merchant that came from Venice Italy. His father was Niccolo Polo who was an explorer just like Marco Polo and he influenced Marco to explore. His uncle was Maffeo Polo and yet was also an explorer and also influenced Marco to explore. Marco’s wife was Donata Polo and was just a at home wife. They also had three children that were all girls. There names were Bellela, Fantina, and Moretta Polo but the three daughters were not explores along with Donata.
Marco was born in Venice Italy in 1254 right near the Adriatic Sea. He went on an adventure with his father and his uncle to China when he was seventeen years old. His father and uncle had already traveled to China before they took Marco. The trip to China lasted three years and they traveled to many places but mainly stayed in Khanbalik (Peking), which was the capital of China at the time. He stayed in the palace with the emperor and served as a governor of a Chinese city for a little while. He stayed at the palace so long that eventually he had become one of the emperor’s closest friends. The friendship was very important because since he was living in the palace with the emperor he wouldn’t want to get in a fight with him or else he might be kicked out and would have no place to stay.
Marco was born in Venice Italy in 1254 right near the Adriatic Sea. He went on an adventure with his father and his uncle to China when he was seventeen years old. His father and uncle had already traveled to China before they took Marco. The trip to China lasted three years and they traveled to many places but mainly stayed in Khanbalik (Peking), which was the capital of China at the time. He stayed in the palace with the emperor and served as a governor of a Chinese city for a little while. He stayed at the palace so long that eventually he had become one of the emperor’s closest friends. The friendship was very important because since he was living in the palace with the emperor he wouldn’t want to get in a fight with him or else he might be kicked out and would have no place to stay.
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Marco returned back to Venice in 1295 and the trip in total lasted twenty-four years. Although he returned the Genoa captured him due to conflict between Genoa and Venice at the time. He was stuck in prison for a long time and he didn’t even do anything wrong. As he was stuck in prison Marco had dictated a book called The Travels of Marco Polo. During the time the great well known explorer Christopher Columbus picked up a copy of the book. Marco Polo’s book inspired Christopher Columbus to go explore because he was jealous of Marco’s success. Columbus wanted to prove that he was better than Polo so he went out and discovered America. The Genoa’s released Marco out of prison in 1299. He was stuck in prison for four years and in 1299 returned back to his homeland.
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During Marco’s time in China he made lots of very important contributions. When he returned he brought lost of knowledge to Europe for China. This then lead to the increased amount of trade between Europe and Asia. Not only did his knowledge increase trade but also it also but peace to Europe and China, which is very important to prevent being, attacked from one another. Marco Polo’s adventure to China was obviously very important for Europe and China.
Marco traveled to China for a couple of reasons. His dad and his uncle had convinced him to go with them as they had already traveled to China by themselves five years before they took Marco along with him. Another reason that he had gone exploring was because due to his father and uncle he became very adventurous and turned out to be a great traveler. He also traveled to China because they were looking for good fortune such as gold, diamonds, rubies, and other fortunes. They did not exactly find very many fortunes but did discover other great fortune. Sadly Marco died January 8th, 1324 due to an illness that he suffered and lived to be seventy years old. He died in Venice Italy (Also where he was born) and was buried at the church of San Lorenzo.
Marco polo is significant today because he demonstrated the power of adventure. His name is very well known today because he increased trade between Europe and China, which made them friends with each other. Despite being captured Marco was still so great at exploring he influenced Christopher Columbus to explore. Marco today has statues after him and coins with his face on it. He was a great explorer and will be remembered always.
Works Cited
http://www.ask.com/question/why-did-marco-polo-want-to-explore-asia
http://biography.yourdictionary.com/articles/marco-polo-facts.html
The New Grolier Student Encyclopedia- Published by- Young Students Learning Library- 1992- Section Marco Polo
Marco polo is significant today because he demonstrated the power of adventure. His name is very well known today because he increased trade between Europe and China, which made them friends with each other. Despite being captured Marco was still so great at exploring he influenced Christopher Columbus to explore. Marco today has statues after him and coins with his face on it. He was a great explorer and will be remembered always.
Works Cited
http://www.ask.com/question/why-did-marco-polo-want-to-explore-asia
http://biography.yourdictionary.com/articles/marco-polo-facts.html
The New Grolier Student Encyclopedia- Published by- Young Students Learning Library- 1992- Section Marco Polo
Below here is a Power Point about Marco Polo
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