What did marco polo died of

Why did marco polo go to china

The brothers went into business before Marco's birth, established trading posts in Constantinople , Sudak in Crimea , and in a western part of the Mongol Empire in Asia. As a duo, they reached modern-day China before temporarily returning to Europe to deliver a message to the Pope. However, the family judged the political situation of the city precarious, so they decided to transfer their business northeast to Soldaia , a city in Crimea , and left Constantinople in or Their decision proved wise.

Constantinople was recaptured in by Michael Palaeologus , the ruler of the Empire of Nicaea , who promptly burned and razed the Venetian quarter and reestablished the Byzantine Empire. Captured Venetian citizens were blinded, [ 3 ] while many of those who managed to escape died aboard overloaded refugee ships fleeing to other Venetian colonies in the Aegean Sea.

Their new home on the north rim of the Black Sea , Soldaia present-day Sudak, Crimea had been frequented by Venetian traders since the 12th century.

What was marco polo famous for

When the Polos reached it, it was part of the newly formed Mongol state known as the Golden Horde. Knowing that they could not return west to Constantinople, they planned to venture east and return at a later date. At that time, the city of Sarai was no more than a huge encampment, and the Polos stayed for about a year. The Polo brothers became merchant partners, ortoq , of Berke to sell wares entrusted to them.

Finally, they decided to avoid Crimea, because of a civil war between Berke and his cousin Hulagu or perhaps because of the bad relationship between Berke Khan and the Byzantine Empire. Eventually, when they reached Bukhara , the brothers realised they could not continue their journey nor return the way they had come from, so they decided to stay here for three years.

The messenger was on his way to meet Kublai Khan and decided to invite the brothers on his journey. They brought with them a letter from the Khan requesting educated people to come and teach Christianity and Western customs to his people and oil from the lamp of the Holy Sepulcher.