- published: 08 Jun 2016
- views: 210316
Marco Polo (i/ˈmɑrkoʊ ˈpoʊloʊ/; Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarko ˈpɔːlo]; c. 1254 – January 9, 1324) was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently met Kublai Khan. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, returning after 24 years to find Venice at war with Genoa; Marco was imprisoned, and dictated his stories to a cellmate. He was released in 1299, became a wealthy merchant, married and had three children. He died in 1324, and was buried in San Lorenzo.
Their pioneering journey inspired Christopher Columbus and others. Marco Polo's other legacies include Venice Marco Polo Airport, the Marco Polo sheep, and several books and films. He also had an influence on European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Fra Mauro map.
Woke to find some blood on the workbench
And forgot where it came from
Over time we get so careless with all the tools to make progress
It's defensive silence that cracks into canyons and grows
Oh no
I'm glad you grew up stronger
I'm glad we grew apart
â'Cause now we laugh much harder and that's a start
We're bitter in our own special ways
We're better now with time spent off stage
It's hard when you have to share half a brain
The other half gets to big for the space
If you want me to find you I'll probably go
We can cheat for each other in Marco Polo
When we still act like brothers it's nothing at all
There's nothing too small
Just don't ask for it all