Marco Polo Was Born Updated

Kublai Khan in China. Contested Origins While Venice is the generally accepted birthplace, some alternative theories and local legends (though less supported by mainstream historians) have occasionally suggested other origins, such as the island of Korčula (in modern-day Croatia), which was then a Venetian colony. Despite these debates, Polo remains the quintessential symbol of Venetian exploration. 10 sites Marco Polo - Wikipedia Family origin. Marco Polo was born around 1254 in Venice, but the exact date and place of birth are archivally unknown. The Travel... Wikipedia Marco Polo - Ages of Exploration Sep 20, 2016 —

The final piece of the puzzle is the very event that led to the creation of The Travels . In 1298, Venice and Genoa were at war. A massive naval battle was fought off the coast of—you guessed it—Korčula. The battle was a disaster for Venice. Their fleet was smashed, and among the thousands of prisoners taken back to a Genoese jail was a wealthy Venetian captain named Marco Polo. marco polo was born

At the time of his birth, Korčula was under the administration of the Republic of Venice, which complicates the "nationality" of his birthplace. Proponents of the Korčulan theory point to local archives and the presence of the De Polo family name on the island as evidence. While many mainstream historians view the Venetian birth as more likely, the "House of Marco Polo" remains a major historical site on Korčula today. A World in Flux Kublai Khan in China

Furthermore, Marco Polo himself is conspicuously vague about his birthplace in his book. He never says "I, a Venetian," but rather uses phrases like "we Latins." Some scholars argue that a true Venetian of that era would have been boastfully proud of his city, not coy about its identity. 10 sites Marco Polo - Wikipedia Family origin

, then a powerful and independent city-state. He came from a wealthy Venetian merchant family where travel was not just a hobby, but the family business.