The Life and Accomplishments of Marco Polo

One of the world’s greatest explorers was Marco Polo. Known for his travels to China, the book he wrote about his expeditions, The Travels of Marco Polo, and his sharing of Asian spices, marked him as a great influence in the 13th century and beyond.

Italy was not tranquil in the 13th century. Famine spread across Europe because of poor harvests. Crops failed because of seasonal floods. In the winter of 1315-1316, the peasants ate the seeds before they could sell them because they were so hungry. Since there was no seed, there were no crops to make seeds the next year.

Another reason for crop failure was the Little Ice Age that began in Europe, in about 1350. The agricultural output declined and several famines resulted in the next few years.

The 13th century was an age of fresh endeavour and high maturity in philosophy, theology, and art. People consider it as the high point of medieval civilization. Pope Innocent III brought in the revival of religious life and culture in the period. He was one of the youngest and most spirited popes to hold the throne of St. Peter. As pope, Innocent helped guide other European rulers and expanded the control of the popes before and after him.

Many believe that women had no rights during the 1200s. Even though men dominated them, they were often treated well. Noble women lived luxuriously and when chivalry was finally introduced, men began to respect them. Men treated women based on their social rank.

Nobility lived a very posh life. They wore very bright clothing made out of silk. Men wore trousers with a long coat. Women wore loose gowns with long tight sleeves and a small belt. Both men and women wore pointed-toe shoes and jewelry.

As a serf child in Italy, they woke up in a small...

... middle of paper ...

...book about his travels. Marco decided that they would write a book called The Travels Of Marco Polo. The manuscript somehow got passed out of the prison, and it became a huge hit all around Europe. Everybody wanted to read it because rarely any people had been to Asia then, and they wanted to know what it was like.

Marco was released from prison in August of 1299. He fell in love with a woman named Donata Badoer and married her. She was a merchant too and they had three kids together: Fantina, Bellela, and Moreta.

Marco Polo died on January 7, 1324. He had a big impact on the world. Especially on people. Christopher Columbus used Marco’s maps to travel across the ocean. Marco changed they way that people thought about the world because he came back from China with spices, plants and all sorts of cultural differences. Marco Polo was the best explorer of his time.