Marco Polo is one of the most well-known heroic travelers around the world.
When Marco first travelled with his father and uncle, they were accompanied by 2 friars who having heard accounts of warring tribes along the route feared their lives and after just a few days’ journey, turned back. However, he continued on the journey with his father and uncle.
The group travelled numerous countries and cultures, noting food, dress, and religion unique to each. They were also subject to hazards of travel – extreme cold, snow, floods, deserts, diseases and bandits. In particular, under the Khan’s protection the Polos were able to observe a large portion of the Islamic world at close range, as few if any European Christians had.
On the way to the Khan’s court, Marco had the opportunity to complete his education. He had received a unique education and had been initiated into manhood.
The journey took three and a half years by horseback through some of the world’s most rugged terrain, including the extreme cold and snowy mountain ranges, such as the Pamirs.
He also had to traverse thousands of miles on parching deserts such as the Lop and Gobi. The journey is invariably over either sandy plains and valleys, or over steep, barren mountain passes, exposed to extreme weathers, to wild animals and very uncivilized tribesmen. Marco also described “excessive troubles and dangers that must unavoidably be encountered” such as mirages, malevolent spirits, eerie noises, and the danger of losing the path. Despite the dangers encountered during the Lop and Gobi crossing, they managed to leave both deserts.
By the time, they reached the Khan’s court, Marco had become a hardened traveler. The Polos stayed on for 17 years in Khan’s court, yet 17 years is a long time to trade without returning home to family and friends. The Polos not only survived - itself an achievement amid the political hazards of the time – but also prospered.
Khan held them in high regard and he would not let them return home, but as the Khan aged the Polos began to fear what would happen after his death. Finally, an opportunity to leave presented itself when trusted emissaries were needed to accompany a Mongol princess to the local khan. The Polos sailed from Cathay with a fleet of 14 ships and a wedding party of 600 people not counting the sailors. Only a few members of the wedding entourage survived the journey of almost 2 years, the survival included the Polos and the princess. Fortunately, the Polos duly delivered the princess not to the old Khan of Persia, who had meanwhile died but to his son.
Marco did not give much clue as to what went wrong on the trip, but there are some theories. Some think they may have died from scurvy, cholera or by drowning; others suggest the losses were caused by the hostile natives and pirate attacks. This dreadful sea voyage passed through the South China Sea to Sumatra and the Indian Ocean, and finally docked at Hormuz.
In Persia, they learned of the death of Kublai Khan. However Khan’s protection outlived him, for it was only by showing his golden tablet of authority that they were able to travel safely through the bandit-ridden interior. Marco admitted that the passports of golden tablets were powerful.
From Persia, the Polos made their way back to Venice. They were robbed as soon as they got into Christian territory, but they still managed to reach home in 1294, with plenty of rich goods.
When Marco first travelled with his father and uncle, they were accompanied by 2 friars who having heard accounts of warring tribes along the route feared their lives and after just a few days’ journey, turned back. However, he continued on the journey with his father and uncle.
The group travelled numerous countries and cultures, noting food, dress, and religion unique to each. They were also subject to hazards of travel – extreme cold, snow, floods, deserts, diseases and bandits. In particular, under the Khan’s protection the Polos were able to observe a large portion of the Islamic world at close range, as few if any European Christians had.
On the way to the Khan’s court, Marco had the opportunity to complete his education. He had received a unique education and had been initiated into manhood.
The journey took three and a half years by horseback through some of the world’s most rugged terrain, including the extreme cold and snowy mountain ranges, such as the Pamirs.
He also had to traverse thousands of miles on parching deserts such as the Lop and Gobi. The journey is invariably over either sandy plains and valleys, or over steep, barren mountain passes, exposed to extreme weathers, to wild animals and very uncivilized tribesmen. Marco also described “excessive troubles and dangers that must unavoidably be encountered” such as mirages, malevolent spirits, eerie noises, and the danger of losing the path. Despite the dangers encountered during the Lop and Gobi crossing, they managed to leave both deserts.
By the time, they reached the Khan’s court, Marco had become a hardened traveler. The Polos stayed on for 17 years in Khan’s court, yet 17 years is a long time to trade without returning home to family and friends. The Polos not only survived - itself an achievement amid the political hazards of the time – but also prospered.
Khan held them in high regard and he would not let them return home, but as the Khan aged the Polos began to fear what would happen after his death. Finally, an opportunity to leave presented itself when trusted emissaries were needed to accompany a Mongol princess to the local khan. The Polos sailed from Cathay with a fleet of 14 ships and a wedding party of 600 people not counting the sailors. Only a few members of the wedding entourage survived the journey of almost 2 years, the survival included the Polos and the princess. Fortunately, the Polos duly delivered the princess not to the old Khan of Persia, who had meanwhile died but to his son.
Marco did not give much clue as to what went wrong on the trip, but there are some theories. Some think they may have died from scurvy, cholera or by drowning; others suggest the losses were caused by the hostile natives and pirate attacks. This dreadful sea voyage passed through the South China Sea to Sumatra and the Indian Ocean, and finally docked at Hormuz.
In Persia, they learned of the death of Kublai Khan. However Khan’s protection outlived him, for it was only by showing his golden tablet of authority that they were able to travel safely through the bandit-ridden interior. Marco admitted that the passports of golden tablets were powerful.
From Persia, the Polos made their way back to Venice. They were robbed as soon as they got into Christian territory, but they still managed to reach home in 1294, with plenty of rich goods.
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