Marco Polo's The Travels

The Introduction of "The Travels" states that "to western Christendom the world [Marco Polo] revealed was almost wholly unknown." However, in the introduction he mentions the Franciscan travelers we’ve already encountered this semester. Ronald Latham, who wrote the introduction and is the translator of the book, acknowledges the two Franciscans and their journeys, but states that their finding were interesting but not very encouraging. Marco Polo was not the first to travel to Crimea (known as China today) and return. He made himself a historical figure by writing down his findings, which he did for himself. The narrator of the story, Rustichello of Pisa, state that the book will describe all the “great wonder and curiosities” of many territories …show more content…
After returning, they departed from Venice in 1271 with 17-year-old Marco Polo and two friars. However, the two friars returned home after realizing how dangerous the journey would be. Marco Polo was the Great Khan’s emissary who authorized his travel throughout his empire. The purpose of his journey was to investigate and report back his findings about the people he encountered, their customs, culture, and climate. They were also bringing letters for the Mongol emperor from Pope Gregory X.
There were many conditions and situations that prompted the writing of this travel adventure. The instigating factor of Marco Polo’s journey was the fact that his father and uncle had previously made this journey. The time period of their journey is also comparable to the journeys of the Franciscan Friars. The biggest difference between the Franciscan Friars journey and Marco Polo’s is that the Kubla Khan was much more accepting of Polo and they encountered different …show more content…
The Greater Armenia consists of three chief cities including: Erzincan, Erzerum, and Ercis. Erzincan is the most splendid and is located near the entrance and consists of Armenians and vassals of the Tartars. In the summer, all of the armies of the Tartars of the Levant are stationed in this providence to graze their animals. They leave in the winter because of the cold and go to a warmer region. In the center of Great Armenia there is a very high mountain that is shaped like a cube. It is believed that this mountain is where Noah’s ark rested, therefore, it was named Mountain of Noah’s Ark.
After traveling through Georgia, Baghdad, and Iraq, he arrives in Persia. Persia used to be a great and powerful providence, however, it was ravaged and devastated by the Tartars. Due to the fact that Persia is a large country, it is divided into eight kingdoms. Marco Polo describes the Persians as brutal and bloodthirsty. The government imposes severe penalties on the travelling merchants and demands that they travel the most dangerous