THE TRAVELS OF MARCO POLO Global I Honors

THE TRAVELS OF MARCO POLO Global I Honors: Spiconardi

A Spiconardi Rant Marco…. . Polo! Marco…Polo! I HATE THIS STUPID GAME! IT IS THE SECOND STUPIDEST GAME OF ALL-TIME! Polo! Marco! What’s ask… the first stupidest game of all-time you

A Spiconardi Rant

The Travels of Marco Polo At 17 -years-old, Marco travels with his father Niccolò and uncle Maffeo to Mongolia Stayed in Persia for a while before finally making it to Kublai Khan in China “Of all the races in this world, it is the Persians whose women are the most handsome. ”

The Travels of Marco Polo Once in China, Kublai Khan takes a liking to Marco Impressed by his grasp of numerous languages Liked to hear Marco’s stories Used to get drunk on koumiss together Kublai Khan sent Marco on diplomatic missions Marco was appointed

Legacy of Marco Polo Upon his return to Europe, Marco, his father, & uncle tell tales of their journeys to the East Unfortunately, Marco is imprisoned after a battle between Venice and Genoa (common in Italy) While in prison Marco dictates his stories to a fellow prisoner Book is written in Old French and titled, Le divisament dou monde Translated into other languages

Legacy of Marco Polo His book increases European interest in the East Inspires Columbus; he had an annotated copy of Polo’s book with him on his voyage to the “New World” Exposes Europe to unknown areas and facts about China and the East, and goods/products/ideas…

Legacy of Marco Polo Not new to many Europeans, but new to Marco; used for heating baths Coal

Legacy of Marco Polo Gunpowder was used for fireworks and later guns Gunpowder

Legacy of Marco Polo Precursor to Italian pasta Noodles

Legacy of Marco Polo Used a relay system. Messenger would ride a letter to a post, where a fresh horse and messenger would carry the letter to the next post Postal System

Legacy of Marco Polo Europeans found this idea so absurd they thought Marco Polo was lying Paper Money

Legacy of Marco Polo Quotes "One of these nuts is a meal for a man, both meat and drink“ I have only told the half of what I saw.

Controversy Did Marco Polo make it to Kublai Khan & the Mongols? Many historians say “no” because Marco Polo does not mention the following in his books No The Great Wall of China The beverage tea Foot binding Chinese records of Marco Polo

At the end of the day… What is the most important idea to take away from this lesson? Why is Marco Polo important (regardless if he actually made it to China or not)? _______________________________________ ________