Marco Polo Fact Sheet: Who was Marco Polo? The following short biography and fact sheet provides interesting facts about the life, times and history of Marco Polo.

Marco Polo Fact File Biography: Lifespan: 1254 - 1324 *** Full Name: Marco Polo *** Occupation: Venetian Merchant Traveller *** Date of Birth: Marco Polo was born in 1254 but his exact birth date is unknown *** Place of Birth: Marco Polo’s birthplace is also not known for certain although it is thought to be either Venice, Constantinople or Korcula *** Family background: His father was Niccolo Polo who was a merchant with two brothers Maffeo and Marco. They traded with the Near East and became very wealthy. Little is known of his mother except that she died *** Early life and childhood: He grew up with his aunt and uncle who raised him *** Education: Marco Polo was educated well being taught the mercantile trade including foreign languages, currency, appraising and how to handle cargo ships ***

Marco Polo Fact 1: Marco Polo was born in 1254 and during the 13th century period in history when after Oxford was founded forty years before Cambridge was founded in this century. Voyages of exploration are taking place and closer to home England began dominating Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Marco Polo Fact 2: Very little information is available about Marco Polo up until he is about fifteen years of age.

Marco Polo Fact 3: It was in 1269 that Marco first met his father when he and his Uncle Maffeo returned to their families.

Marco Polo Fact 4: In 1271, when the Doge Lorenzo Tiepolo was ruler, that his father, Niccolo, his uncle Maffeo and himself set sail for Asia on many adventures that Polo would document along the way.

Marco Polo Fact 5: It would not be until 1269 that they made their return to Venice, some twenty four years later.

Marco Polo Fact 6: They had amassed many riches and treasure along their travels and crossed around fifteen thousand miles.

Marco Polo Fact 7: At the time they returned their found the Republic of Genoa as war with Venice.

Marco Polo Fact 8: Marco wished to assist his home land and so equipped his galley with a trebuchet to do his part in the war.

Marco Polo Fact 9: It is thought he was captured between Adana and the Gulf of Alexandretta off the Anatolian coast. He spent several months imprisoned and to pass the time dictated an account of travels to Rustichello da Pisa, a fellow inmate.

Marco Polo Fact 10: It is quite likely that Rustichello also added his own tales to those of Marco’s as well as those from other contributors of current affairs and anecdotes from travels to China.

Marco Polo Fact 11: The tomb soon found its way around Europe in the form of a manuscript and became entitled The Travels of Marco Polo.

Marco Polo Fact 12: It told of firsthand accounts of the journey that Marco Polo took, giving the un-travelled European a glimpse into the life of a traveller of far lands, an inclusive view of the inner workers of the China, Japan and India all parts of the Far East.

Marco Polo Fact 13: Marco Polo was finally released from prison in August of 1299. He was able to return to Venice.

Marco Polo Fact 14: Once returned home he found his father and uncle had bought a large palazzo, in an area known as contrada San Giovanni Crisostomo (Corte del Milion).

Marco Polo Fact 15: All the while Marco was in captivity his father and uncle had worked and traded. Their venture consisted of not only the wealth they had returned with but also more recent profits.

Marco Polo Fact 16: The continued to trade and grow their business and Marco soon became a wealthy individual. Marco and his uncle would finance other ventures abroad but it was unlikely they actual participated and unlikely they ever made a return to the Silk Road of Asia.

Marco Polo Fact 17: Just before the turn of the new century Niccolo, Marco’s father died.

Marco Polo Fact 18: Marco met Donata Badoer a local merchants daughter and in 1300 they married and together they had three daughters, Fantina, Bellela and Moreta.

Marco Polo Fact 19: By 1323 however Marco would be confined to his bed. He was unwell and despite the best efforts of his physicians’ to treat him there was no hope.

Marco Polo Fact 20: Marco Polo died in June 1324.

Influence & Legacy: Although Marco Polo and his relatives were far from being the first to travel to the Far East, what they had that no one else did, was a written account that would reach across Europe. He would become the inspiration for other explorers such as Christopher Columbus goals.

Short Facts about Marco Polo for Kids: The above short facts detail interesting information about the life, milestones, history and key events that occurred during the life of Marco Polo. A fast, simple way to present a short biography of Marco Polo with important dates and info that provides details such as the date of birth (birthday), place of birth, education, family, work and career. An ideal educational resource for kids, schools, teachers and social studies.