Marco Polo Biography: The birth date of Marco Polo is September 15, 1254. The Polos were a family of merchants from Venice who travelled the Silk Road. Polo embarked on his first expedition at age 15 with his father and uncle, Niccol and Maffeo, both of whom were seasoned merchants like their forefathers. During one great expedition, they were absent from home for 27 years. When they returned, the country was at war, and Polo was captured and imprisoned during a skirmish. Here, he recounted his voyage to a fellow prisoner, creating one of the greatest works of travel literature of the time, Il milione.
Marco Polo Birthday
In 1254, Marco Polo was born in Venice to a family of merchant sailors. Polo met his father for the first time when he was 15 years old, in 1269, after his father returned from a lengthy journey. Two years later, he accompanied them on their next voyage across Asia via the Silk Route. After impressing the Mongol emperor with his intellect and humility, Marco Polo was granted a seat at the court of Kublai Khan. As the emperor’s envoy, he travelled to numerous south Asian countries, including India, China, Burma, Japan, and Sri Lanka. After spending more than two decades at the Mongolian court, the Polos decided to send farewell to their ageing monarch out of concern that the next regime or monarch might not be accommodating to a group of foreigners.
In 1293, after travelling to Persia with the Mongol princess Kokochin, they departed for Venice. When they reached Venice, their country was at war with Genoa. Polo joined forces to support his country but was captured and imprisoned during a skirmish. He regaled his cellmate, the Italian romance writer Rustichello da Pisa, with accounts of his travels. Pisa wrote Polo’s biography, titled ‘Il milione’ (derived from Marco’s moniker, ‘Milione,’ which means million). Some individuals praised his writings, while others claimed that the majority of the entries were fables.
After being released from prison in 1299, he became a prosperous merchant and started a family. He was the father of three daughters. He passed away at the age of 70 having led a full life.
Marco Polo Net Worth, Height
Name | Marco Polo |
Nickname | Milione |
Birth date | September 15, 2022 |
Death date | January 9, 2022 (age 0) |
Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Height | 5′ 3″ |
Net Worth | $23 million |
Marco Polo Biography: 5 SURPRISE FACTS
He was the first to introduce Europeans to porcelain, coal, gunpowder, paper money, and numerous other exotic botanicals and plants through his numerous travel accounts.
Polo’s travel writing influenced European cartography, introducing the Fra Mauro map.
The title of the English translation of Marco Polo’s travel book/biography was ‘The Travels of Marco Polo.’
He spoke incessantly about the use of paper money in the kingdom of Kublai Khan, attributing to it the same value as gold or silver.
He was interred in the San Lorenzo basilica in Venice.