Marco PoloMarco Polo

Theme:Theme:

The expansion of new goods, The expansion of new goods, new ideas, and new new ideas, and new

explorations explorations

Info on himInfo on him

• Marco Polo sailed across the world, Marco Polo sailed across the world, traveling to the far east, observing traveling to the far east, observing the different cultures, religions, and the different cultures, religions, and goods in different eastern areas. goods in different eastern areas.

• Traveling with his father Niccolò and Traveling with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, Marco was one of his uncle Maffeo, Marco was one of the first Westerners to travel along the first Westerners to travel along Silk road to China. Silk road to China.

Travel areasTravel areas

• ““Polo sailed south from Venice, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea to the Polo sailed south from Venice, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea to the Middle East. They then went southeast overland to Persia (now Iran), Middle East. They then went southeast overland to Persia (now Iran), then through the Pamir Mountains and the Gobi Desert, to Beijing, then through the Pamir Mountains and the Gobi Desert, to Beijing, China. They explored the area south of Beijing, including Yunan and China. They explored the area south of Beijing, including Yunan and Szechuan. Returning to Beijing, they traveled east to Tankchow (at the Szechuan. Returning to Beijing, they traveled east to Tankchow (at the mouth of the Yangtse River), then south to Hangchow, China. They mouth of the Yangtse River), then south to Hangchow, China. They then sailed south along the coast of China, to what are now Vietnam then sailed south along the coast of China, to what are now Vietnam and Sumatra. They sailed west to Sri Lanka and India, and then back and Sumatra. They sailed west to Sri Lanka and India, and then back to Ormuz (on the Persian Gulf). They went northwest overland to the to Ormuz (on the Persian Gulf). They went northwest overland to the Black Sea, then the Mediterranean Sea, and back to Venice, Italy.” Black Sea, then the Mediterranean Sea, and back to Venice, Italy.”

• Basically traveled from Venice, Italy, to the Basically traveled from Venice, Italy, to the Middle East, then China, then Southern Middle East, then China, then Southern Vietnam, then back. Vietnam, then back.

Life story relating to Life story relating to personality traitpersonality trait

• Marco Polo was a curious and smart Italian Marco Polo was a curious and smart Italian traveler and merchant depicted though his traveler and merchant depicted though his journey to the far east and his precise journey to the far east and his precise record keepings in his book. As one of the record keepings in his book. As one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road, first Westerners to travel the Silk Road, Marco was a boy of great interest for other Marco was a boy of great interest for other cultural achievements. He was smart cultural achievements. He was smart because a merchant with different, new because a merchant with different, new merchandise would have his reputation merchandise would have his reputation known, thus more business.known, thus more business.

Why he represent his time Why he represent his time period and this theme.period and this theme.• Just one of many merchants in his time while a Just one of many merchants in his time while a

large merchant classed ruled over Italy . large merchant classed ruled over Italy . Exploration was becoming a trend in the new day Exploration was becoming a trend in the new day and age. With a growing merchant class and and age. With a growing merchant class and demand for luxuries, such as silk and spices, a demand for luxuries, such as silk and spices, a time of international trade occurred. Marco time of international trade occurred. Marco findings written in his book, findings written in his book, Il MilioneIl Milione or The or The Travels of Marco PoloTravels of Marco Polo or or Description of the World,Description of the World, became popular and read among nobility. His became popular and read among nobility. His book may very well have inspired society’s book may very well have inspired society’s curious travelers to search for the unknown areas curious travelers to search for the unknown areas of the vast world. of the vast world.

ImpactImpact

• Marco Polo's description of the Far Marco Polo's description of the Far East and its riches inspired East and its riches inspired Columbus’ decision attempt to reach Columbus’ decision attempt to reach those lands visited by Marco by a those lands visited by Marco by a western route. western route.

Travel Areas WebsiteTravel Areas Website

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/ehttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/p/polo.shtmlxplorers/page/p/polo.shtml

• Brandon Rosenthal Brandon Rosenthal