Introduction
The Travels is one of the most fascinating and enduring travelogues in history. Often associated with the medieval and early modern periods, the title “The Travels” can refer to several important travel narratives, but one of the most renowned works is The Travels of Marco Polo. This manuscript, recounting the journey of Venetian merchant Marco Polo through Asia in the 13th century, has captivated readers and historians alike for centuries. However, there are also other historic Travels—from Ibn Battuta’s 14th-century wanderings to the earlier Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. This article focuses primarily on the history, significance, and impact of the most famous Travels—Marco Polo’s—but also touches briefly on other important travel literature historically titled The Travels.
Origins and Authorship
Marco Polo and The Travels
Marco Polo, born in Venice in 1254, is believed to have left for Asia with his father and uncle in 1271. Their journey took them along the Silk Road and eventually to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China. Marco Polo’s narrative, originally dictated to Rustichello da Pisa while they were imprisoned in Genoa around 1298, was titled Il Milione, but in English and other languages, it became widely known as The Travels of Marco Polo.
The book describes in great detail the geography, cultures, political systems, technologies, and wonders of the East—most of which were virtually unknown to Europeans at the time. It introduced Europeans to a vast world beyond the Mediterranean, sparking curiosity, commerce, and even exploration centuries later shutdown123