Cause & Context
The Mongol Empire's three western expeditions objectively wholly opened the safe passage across the Eurasian continent, lowering the physical defense-line risk of long-distance commercial trade and travel exploration to a historic low.
Epochal Overview
The Venetian traveler endured arduous danger and arrived at Yuan Dadu to be received by Kublai. He served the court for over ten years, and after returning home completed The Travels of depicting the splendor of the East.
Civilizational Impact
's records greatly stimulated the late medieval West's wealth fantasy about the rich East. It became the most important geographic-exploration enlightenment bridge connecting Chinese and Western civilizations on the eve of the Age of Exploration.
Key Figures
Marco Polo was a Western explorer culture-bridge of outstanding language talent and keen observation. Yuan Emperor Shizu Kublai was an open-minded and generous great emperor delighted to receive and protect talents from foreign lands.