3. Marco Polo’s Early Life
Marco Polo was born
in 1254 in Venice,
Italy.
When he was young
his father Nicolo and
uncle Maffeo, both
merchants, went on a
trading journey.
Marco’s mother saw to
it that he received an
education. He studied
writing, reading, math
and learned how to
handle a cargo ship.
4. Marco Polo’s Early
Life Marco’s mother died when he
was 13.
Marco was raised by his aunt
an relatives.
Marcos father Nicolo and his
uncle Maffeo finally returned
to Venice in 1269.
They told everyone about
their journey to China where
they met the great Mongol
ruler Kublai Khan.
They wanted to go back soon
and take Marco with them.
6. Marco Polo’s Late
Life
In the 1290s Venice and Genoa
fought and Marco Polo was put
in a jail.
In the jail, Marco told another
prisoner about his travels.
This prisoner was a writer named
“Rustichello.” Rustichello wrote a
book called “Description of the
World.” Today it is called “The
Travels of Marco Polo.”
Marco Polo went back to Venice
after the war ended.
He continued to trade and sell
goods.
He married Donata Badoer with
who he had three daughters.
Marco Polo died on the 8 of
January 1324 in Venice in Italy.
7. What People Think
Now
Today people respect
Marco Polo and read
his book.
You can by his book
now.
People know Rustichello’s book
The Travels of Marco Polo
because it is in all kinds of
languages.
