Marco Polo (1254-1324)

Marco Polo is born

Jan 1, 1254

Marco Polo was born in Venice, Italy in 1254. His mother died when he was young so he didnt have much family untill his father came back when Marco was a teenager. The significance of this is that it's the beginning of an succesful life and beginning of a story that will always be remembered in history(Saari,687)

Urban IV becomes Pope

Jan 1, 1261

He was elected pope in 1261. While pope he immediately changed the college of cardinals to 14 and increase the amount of funds available to the vatican. This is significant because it helped in religion and the evolving of religion. Without the pope laws and rules needed in the church would never be changed or fixed(Pope Urban IV).

The Polo's(Marco,His Father, and Uncle) set out for Kublai Khan's Empire

Jan 1, 1270

On their way to the Khan they collected letters for the Mongol emporer, and they recieved holy oil for Kublai. They traveled northeast into Armenia then into Persia and Afganistan.They went through the mountains where Marco got ill forcing them to stop the journey temporairily. They go into the gobi desert and then reach Khan's court. This is significant because it's the first big journey Marco takes and he is beginning the job he wil be doing for the next 17 years(Saari,688,690,689,691)

King Louis 4 dies

Aug 25, 1270

He was the French King, son of King Charles III. Louis;s energy and independence displeased Hugh The Great. Louis was captured by Normans and surrendered to Hugh. Louis makes friends with the German king and they go to war on Hugh. This is significant because he kept the rule of France strong when his son Lothair took the throne(Louis IV).

Travels

Jan 1, 1271

Marco Polo traveled all over Asia. Starting from Venice in 1271 he traveled through Armenia, Peria, and Afganistan. Then he went through the mountains to the Gobi Desert.Then to the Khan's summer house and to Khanbalik. Then he went to the province of Yunnan, yangzhou, kangsu province, India, Champa, Thailand, Malaga, and Sumatra. He sailed to Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal, and Sri Lanka. This is significant because it shows how much he noticed and how much knowledge he got(Saari,687-694).

Edward I becomes king of England

Jan 1, 1272

He was an English king that reigned from 1272-1307.(Wheeler) He issued the Statute of Jewry that persecuted the Jewish population of England and imposed severe taxation on them. He wanted to finish the quarell his father Henry III started with Whales. He held off the Scots until they rebelled against Edward. (Edward I, King of England) This is significant because he was a great leader of England that added on to his father's accomplishments and put England into a better future.

Reaching the Khan

Jan 1, 1275

Marco, his father, and uncle traveled to Tun-Huang, then took the caravan route that headed to the great wall. There they were met by emmisionaries of the Khan. They brought them to the Khan's summer palace at Xanadu. Soon they made their way to Khanbalik. The significance of this trip is that Marco met Kublai Khan and this will lead to future jobs for him. The Khan will also come to trust Marco, he will send him on trips to send messages, recieve them, or collect goods(Saari,691).

Working for the Khan

May 1, 1276

When They reached Khanbalik Niccolo and Maffeo went into the trading business. Marco became a gov. official for Kublai Khan. He was sent to china,and during his journey became the governor of Yang-chou. The significance of this is that it showed the Khan had trust for Marco, that he was a good leader because he became governor, and he could gather more knowledge of the area(Saari,692)

Failed Chinese attack on Japan

Jan 1, 1281

A failed attack years before made Kublai Khan want to destroy the Japanese more than ever. The chinese plan was an overwhelming coordinated attack. The chinese ships have seemed to disappear as the Japenese light the enemies boats on fire. Typhoons hit knocking out all the chinese ships and saving the japanese from fate. This is significant because the Japenese are proving themselves as a very strong power for beating the chinese twice in a span of 8 years(Szczepanski).

Governor of Yangzhou

Jan 1, 1282

Marco was on a trip for the Khan and happened to end up becoming governor of Yangzhou for 3 years. During this time he traveled to Hang-chow, kangsu province. This is significant because he is becoming aleader in the world and people are noticing his good traits. They know Marco is useful so they are going to use him to help their town. It's another group of people that trust him also(Saari,692)

Genoa defeats Pisa

Jan 1, 1284

The 2 forces clashes in a naval battle off Meloria and Genoa came out with a victory. Genoa enjoyed their Golden Age while the Pisa was occupied by a series of other city states. This is significant because the Genoans won a tough naval battle and are now a leading navl power. They are more intimadating and are now respected(Wheeler).

Escort of Mongol Princess

Jan 1, 1292

The Khan put up a job to accompainy a mongol princess on her wedding party. The polo's knew Kublai was getting old so they took the oppurtunity to get back to Venice. There was 14 ships with 600 passangers not including sailors. They stopped at Persia and dropped the wedding party off, only 16 people from the wedding party survived. This is significant because it gives the Polo's a chance to return home to Venice and share their information to the rest of the people in Italy(Magill,1677)

Captured by Genoan forces

Jan 1, 1298

When Marco Polo returned home to Venice he became a merchant and then the captain of a warship. When Marco was attacked by Genoan forces they borded the ship and captured Marco. Marco was put in a Genoan prison for a year. The significance of this event is that Marco will now be able to meet Rustechiello and write his book(Knight, 302)

Chinese develop cannon

Jan 1, 1298

Cannons started to develop in the late 1200's, it about 1298. The chinese were the first to make a prototype of the cannon. They were very expierienced in this kind of warfare because they discovered gunpowder. This is significant because china is now so much more advanced in war because of the cannon. It makes their weapons more advanced and will lead them to think of bigger ideas(Wheeler).

Realeased from Genoan prison with book finished

Jan 1, 1299

Rustechiello and Marco met in jail. Rustechiello was a writer of romances and was very facinated by Marcos stories and travels. Rustechiello started to write down the travels and when they were out of jail the book was finished and they could share the story of Marco Polo to the world. The significance of this is that Marco can share knowledge of foreign land sthat is unknown to them and he can help to improve their country(Andrews).

Marco Polo dies

Jan 1, 1324

Marco Polo died in 1324 in his hometown of Venice, Italy. He died at the age of 70. This was very old for a man in this time period. The significance of his death is that when he died he had already spread his knowledge. He left something behind that history would remember him for(Saari, 687).