Marco Polo (1254-1324)

Birth

Jan 1, 1254

Marco Polo is born in 1254. He was born in the Republic of Venice which is in modern day Italy. He had the usual edjucation for a man at the time. (Baker and Saari 687) (Marco Polo and His Travels)

Venice and Genoa War

Jan 1, 1256

A Hundred Years War started between Venice and Genoa, two Italian city states. The two states' power strted to overlap in the trade routes they both used in the Mediterranean sea. This started a long war over the trade routes in the Mediterranean. ('The Four Genoa wars") (Grun 174)

Marco's childhood

Jan 1, 1260

Marco Polo grew up in Venice a large trade center in the Mediterranean sea at the time. He learned about classical authors, understood the texts of the Bible, and knew the basic theology of the Latin Church. He also knew French as well as Italian. ("Marco Polo and His Travels")

The Trip

Jan 1, 1271

Niccolo Polo, Marco's father and Maffeo Polo, Marco's uncle planned a trip to Asia. They planned on going to Kublai Kahn's court in Khanbalik which is modern day Beijing, China. Marco wnet with them and tey left in 1271. (Baker and Saari 688)

The Decision

Jan 1, 1272

The Polos planned to go to China on boats, but when they got to Hormuz, an important trading city on the Persian Gulf they realized they couldn't. the boats were in bad repair and the Polos made a decision. they would go to China over land through the silk road. ("Marco Polo and His Travels")

Edward the First crowned

Aug 19, 1274

Edward the First is crowned the King of England in 1274. He was crowned at Wesminster Abbey. He was 35 Years old when he was crowned and he ruled for 34 years, 7 months, and 14 days. ("King Edward I Longshanks") (Grun 175)

The Polos reach the Khan

May 1, 1275

The Polos were met by emissaries who took them to the Khan. he was in Shang-Tu the summer capital of the empire. Shang-Tu is 300 miles north of Khanbalik, the normal capital. (Baker and Saari 691) ("Marco Polo and His Travels")

Marcos involvement in the empire

Jan 1, 1276

When they got to Khanbalik Niccolo and Maffeo Polo set up a trading post while Marco went into government. He went on trips around China and Tibet for the Khan. He also served as governor of Yang-Chou in the Kiangsu province. (Baker and Saari 692)

The Year of Four Popes

Jan 1, 1276

This year saw four popes in office in the Vatican. They were Pope Gregory X, Pope Innocent V, Pope Adrian V, and Pope John XXI. Pope Innocent and gregory never sevred out of the year 1276. ("Popes in the Middle Ages") (Grun 178)

Marcos missions

Period: Jan 1, 1276 to Jan 1, 1287

Marco Polo went on many missions for the Khan while under his command. he went all over Asia to parts of China, Burma, and India. On one mission he went to Sri Lanka to get a major Buddhist relic - the Tooth of Buddha.("Marco Polo and His Travels")

TheTrip Home

Jan 1, 1292

The Polos set sail for Hormuz on their way home to Venice in January 1292. This voyage became a two year ordeal where 18 of the 600 crew survived. Once they got to Hormuz they heard that Kublai Khan had died. ( Baker and Saari 693-694)

Marco's Book

Period: Jan 1, 1295 to Jan 1, 1299

When he returned home he was captured during the Venice, Genoa war and he was put in prison. There he met Rustichello of Pisa who was a writer, he wrote the account of marco Polo and his journey in Asia. ("Marco Polo and his Travels")

French Estates General

Apr 1, 1302

The French Estates General met for the first time in April 1302. They met to aid Philip IV against Pope Boniface VIII. The last meeting of the Estaes General would be in 1789 during the French Revolution. ("Estaes General") (Grun 182)

Truce between Swiss and Hapsburgs

Jan 1, 1318

A treaty was signed in 1318 ending a war between the Swiss Leagues and the Hapsburgs.The Hapsburgs were a well known royal family in Europe. They had lines in both Spain and in Austria. (Grun 184)

Battle of Muhldorf

Sep 28, 1322

The Battle of Muhldorf was fought between Louis IV of Bavaria and Frederick the Handsome, the Duke of Austria. Louis IV defeated Frederick and captured him. So the rivalry for the German throne that had started in 1314 ended. (Battle of Muhldorf) (Grun 186)

Death

Jan 1, 1324

Marco Polo died in Venice his hometown in 1324. He died at age 70 of natural causes. On his deathbed he left the world his final statement "I have only told the half of what I saw". (Baker and Saari 687) (Marco Polo and His Travels)