Marco Polo

Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan

1206

After uniting feuding tribes and being acknowledged as sole ruler by the Mongols, Genghis Khan set forth with a powerful army to conquer large portions of Asia, instilling famously brutal tactics to spread fear to neighboring states. When he died in 1227, the Mongol Empire was an Asian powerhouse, and his work was continued by his successors, first by his son Ögedei who continued into Eastern Europe

The creation of the Magna Carta

1215

Fearing civil war with the barons, and already weakened by a recent defeat to the French, King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215 agreeing to a more balanced form of power.

Marco Polo

1254

Marco Polo was born in Venice. His father and uncle were very rich, and often traveled the world.

The Siege of Baghdad

1258

Ruling from 750 AD, even the powerful Abbasid Caliphate was no match for the advancing Mongol Empire, who laid siege to its capital Baghdad in 1258. Believing the city could not be taken, Caliph Al-Musta’sim refused the Mongols demands, but after just 13 days of siege he was forced to surrender.

Marco's mother dies

1260

Marco's mother died sometime in his childhood and he was raised by an aunt and uncle. They were wealthy and he learned many important things like foreign currency and appraising.

Marco's father meets the ruler of China

1262

Marco's father and uncle traveled to China for the first time, where they met Kublai Khan, the ruler of China.

Marco travels

1271

Marco Polo went with his father and uncle on his first journey to Cathay, or what is now called China.

Marco arrives in China

1274

Marco's journey took three years, but he finally arrived in China. He met Kublai Khan, the ruler of China, and he studied the Chinese language and learned to speak it well.

Marco Polo's first mission

1275

Kublai Khan sent Marco on a mission for him. Marco Polo traveled across China, and he did his mission so well that Kublai Khan decided Marco would work for him.

Marco Polo works for Kublai Khan

1280

Marco Polo rose in favor with the ruler of China, and he even became the ruler of one of Kublai Khan's cities.

The end of the big Crusade

1291

There were some moments of success, but they were brief, and after two centuries of relatively mixed results, peppered with counterattacks by the superior Muslim states, the fall of Acre in 1291 ultimately led to an end in the big Crusades.

Marco Polo returns home to Venice

1295

After celebrating Kublai Khan's daughter's wedding in Persia, Marco Polo and his family returned to Venice. They found it was at war with Genoa.

The First War of Scottish Independence begins

1296

13 families put forward a claim to the throne, and asked England’s King Edward I to arbitrate. Sensing an opportunity, Edward agreed but established himself as Lord Paramount of Scotland, forcing the appointed King John Balliol to be subservient to him. When John refused to join the English in war against France, Edward invaded Scotland in 1296 and occupied the country in retaliation, defeating them at the Battle of Dunbar and forcing John to abdicate.

Marco the Prisoner of War

1298

Marco joined the Venetian forces, but he was captured and became a prisoner of war. In prison he met a writer, and he told the writer about his travels; the writer wrote Marco's stories down.

He gets free

1299

Marco Polo was released from prison, but was still a prisoner of war.

Marco gets married

1300

At the age of 46 Marco Polo got married and began having children. He had three daughters.

Marco becomes famous

1307

When a book of his stories reached people around Europe, the fame of Marco Polo's travels spread quickly. People were fascinated with the world of the Chinese.

Marco Polo dies

1324

Marco Polo died in Venice at the age of 74. His travels and explorations inspired other explorers like Christopher Columbus, and the tales he brought back from China got the people interested in other cultures.

Marco's journey is copied

1453

Marco Polo died in Venice at the age of 74. His travels and explorations inspired other explorers like Christopher Columbus, and the tales he brought back from China got the people interested in other cultures.

Marco Polo's name is honored

1851

In 1851 Marco Polo had a ship named after him. It was the first ship to sail around the world in under 6 months.