Marco Polo

Profession: Explorer

Nationality: Venetian

Biography: Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled through Asia along the Silk Road from 1271 to 1295. In 1271, Polo embarked on a journey to Asia with his father Niccolò and uncle Maffeo, reaching the court of Kublai Khan after years of travel.

Impressed by Polo, Kublai Khan appointed him as a foreign emissary. Polo traveled extensively throughout the Mongol Empire and Asia for 17 years. His travels are recorded in his book "The Travels of Marco Polo" (c. 1300), which provided Europeans their first comprehensive look at the civilizations of China, Mongolia, Persia, India, and more.

Polo's vivid descriptions of the East's geography, ethnic customs, and marvels like paper money, coal, and the Grand Canal amazed European readers. In 1292, the Polos accompanied a Mongol princess to Persia, finally returning to Venice in 1295 after a 24-year journey. Captured by the Genoans in war-time, Polo dictated his stories to a cellmate, helping produce "The Travels of Marco Polo."

Though met with initial skepticism, Polo's book became a bestseller, inspiring explorers like Christopher Columbus to seek new trade routes to the East. Polo's accounts revealed an advanced Eastern world to Europeans and fundamentally shaped Western perspectives on Asia.

Born: September 15, 1254
Birthplace: Venice, Venetian Republic
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: January 8, 1324 (aged 69)