Marco Polo12007
description
Transcript of Marco Polo12007
By: Kevin P. Neville
The Explorer Marco Polo
Background Information
• Born 1255; died 1324• As a boy, yearned of
adventures in distant lands• Merchant from Venice,
Italy• Traveler & explorer
Purpose of Expedition
• To trade goods and make money in China with father and uncle
• To satisfy personal goals & ambitions
Route of Expedition• 1271-1275 travelled overland across the Silk Road to China• present-day Armenia, Persia (Iran), and Afghanistan• 1292-1295 – returned via Iran by sea & land and went along
coast of Black Sea and past Constantinople
http://www.shunya.net/Text/Islam/Maps/MarcoPoloMap.jpg
Hardships Faced
• high mountains & scorching deserts
• Invaders & bandits• Sickness & food poisoning • Jealous members of the
Mongol court• disease, storms, & pirate
attacks on return home
Other Notable Occurrences
• Spend 17 years in China serving under Kublai Khan• Travelled across the Mongol Empire bringing back news of
happenings in each province• Reached far-flung parts of Mongolia, Manchuria, & Siberia
http://www.heritagemadison.org/marco_polo2.htm
• 1st European to cross entire continent of Asia
• The Travels of Marco Polo• His tales opened a new world of
wonders to Europeans• Inspired generations of explorers• Eventually led to the age of exploration
in 16th century• Led indirectly to discovery of North
America• Helped spread the use of coal, paper
money, and rice & noodles
Historical Contributions
Bibliography
Otfinoski, Steven. Great Explorations: Marco Polo – To
China and Back, Terrytown NY: Benchmark Books, 2003
http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml
http://encarta.msn.com/