Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who is best known for his extensive travels throughout Asia in the 13th century. He was born into a wealthy family of merchants and at the age of 17, he embarked on a journey with his father and uncle to China along the Silk Road. They spent over 20 years traveling through various regions of Asia, including Persia, Afghanistan, and Mongolia.
During his travels, Marco Polo encountered different cultures, customs, and religions that were vastly different from his own. He became fascinated by the wealth and grandeur of the Mongol Empire under Kublai Khan's rule and served as an emissary for him for over 17 years. He also gained favor with the emperor and was given important administrative roles in various cities.
Upon returning to Venice in 1295, Marco Polo shared his experiences with fellow merchants and scholars. His stories were compiled into a book called "Milion" which became one of the most influential travelogues in history. It provided Europeans with their first detailed account of Asian countries such as China, Japan, India, and Indonesia.
Marco Polo's writings sparked interest in trade with Asia and inspired other explorers such as Christopher Columbus.
