Marco Polo was born around 1254 into a wealthy Venetian merchant family.
His father, Niccolo, and his uncle Maffeo were successful jewel merchants who spent much of Marco’s childhood in Asia. Marco's mother died when he was young, Marco was primarily raised by extended family. Brothers Niccolo and Maffeo had gone as far as China, then called Cathay, during their travels. They met the Mongol leader Kublai Khan at his court in Beijing. Kublai Khan, grandson of the great conqueror Genghis Khan, expressed interest in Christianity and requested that the Polo brothers return to Rome to speak to the pope on his behalf. Khan wanted the pope to send the Polo brothers back to Beijing with holy water and 100 learned priests.
His father, Niccolo, and his uncle Maffeo were successful jewel merchants who spent much of Marco’s childhood in Asia. Marco's mother died when he was young, Marco was primarily raised by extended family. Brothers Niccolo and Maffeo had gone as far as China, then called Cathay, during their travels. They met the Mongol leader Kublai Khan at his court in Beijing. Kublai Khan, grandson of the great conqueror Genghis Khan, expressed interest in Christianity and requested that the Polo brothers return to Rome to speak to the pope on his behalf. Khan wanted the pope to send the Polo brothers back to Beijing with holy water and 100 learned priests.