Marco Polo (September 15, 1254 - January 9, 1324) was a Venetian trader and explorer who gained fame for his worldwide travels, recorded in the book Il Milione ("The Million" or The Travels of Marco Polo).

He along with his father Niccolo and uncle Maffeo, was one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road to China (which he called Cathay) and visit the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan).

In his travels through the Far East, Marco became a house guest of the Great Khan. He was very impressed by the Mongols' amazing success in conquering Asia and felt it was due in large part to their superb horsemanship. The Mongolian cavalry was an unstoppable war machine as cavalrymen were able to fight fiercely while in horseback thanks to 2 inventions - stirrups and cruppers. Together, these pieces of equipment allowed the rider great freedom of movement and able to ride and weld a short bow and 60 arrows, a small sword and ax, dagger and 2 javelins at any time. These invincible warriors relied on small things to make all the difference.


Marco Polo's Interesting Observations on Tibet

"The country is, in fact, so great that it embraces eight kingdoms, and a vast number of cities and villages. It contains in several quarters rivers and lakes, in which gold-dust is found in great abundance.

Cinnamon also grows there in great plenty. Coral is in great demand in this country, it fetches a high price, for they hang it round the necks of their women and of their idols.

Among this people, too, you find the best enchanters and astrologers that exist in all that quarter of the world; they preform such extraordinary marvels and sorceries by diabolic are, that it astounds one to see of even hear of them. So I will relate none of them in this book of ours; people would be amazed if they heard them, but it would serve no good purpose."