About the Author
Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254. His travels began when at seventeen years old he set off with his merchant father and uncle to visit the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan in Beijing. Shortly after returning from his travels, Polo was reportedly involved in the battle of Curzola (1298) and was imprisoned. Holed up in a prison in Genoa, he dictated his travels in Asia to Rustichello (Rustigielo) of Pisa, a collector of Arthurian romances, and a fellow prisoner. Polo died a fairly wealth man in Venice, and today his name has been given to airports, bridges, hotels, and frequent-flyer clubs.
