Travels Accuracy of Marco Polo Account and Its Problems (Essay Sample)

TRAVELS OF MARCO POLO.
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Accuracy of Marco Polo Account and Its Problems
Marco polo was a Venetian merchant traveler whole travelling has being recorded in various historical books. In this case the “Travels of Marco Polo” is analyzed if the debate of if Marcos was able to travel tom china is true. Since the publication of the book “Travels of Marco Polo” there have being interest on the tours Marco had and if they are true. The debate that happens are a result of this book is because some of the segments described on the book differ from what had being written by the travelers to the Far East in the first century. The description that Marco made are contradictory to other descriptions of other travelers who made it to the same parts.[Benedetto, Luigi Foscolo. The Travels of Marco Polo. (Routledge, 2014), 6]
The problems that are there according to his account are due to the flaws that are made which do not agree to the facts according to different scholars. American researcher John W Haeger asked the question “Was Marcos Polo in China?” by expressing his own views that Marcos was only able to reach Beijing. Another author Francis Wood does not agree with the accounts made by Marcos in the book but instead accuses him of confusing cowry money with Chinese ceramic-porcelain. Another author also argues that the cowries that are talked about in the book were not local items but imported from India. Another problem that can be made from the book that it is not accurate is that Francis Wood was not convinced by the salt wells in Yunnan as he did not believe in Marco description of the brine wells in the area.[Ibid., 10.] [Ibid., 11.]
The books has also being defended as an accurate historical account which can be relied upon by other scholars. A research, Hans Ulrich at the Tubingen University in Germany has defended the accounts made in the book by Marcos. In a book titled “Marcos Polo Was in China” the professor who specializes in Chinese history makes arguments to disapprove the skeptic’s view that Marcos was not in china. In his argument the professor argues that Marcos never included the great wall as the wall achieved its higher dynasty later under Ming dynasty.
Comparison of Marco Polo Account with Preceding Accounts
Although there had being other accounts which had being made by other merchant travelers into Asia, the accounts made by Marco Polo are the most famous and looked into accounts. One of the unique thing about the book is that it was released in the prison. At the time of the release of book Marco was in the prison and most of the people that read the narration were skeptical of what they read. The first copies were released in French, Italian and Latin. But with a period of time the book was able to reach many readers who are from different backgrounds.[Wright, Fellow Thomas. Travels of Marco Polo. (Book on Demand Limited, 2014), 21.]
Another uniqueness of the book was the description that were made in the structure that still exist in china. Most the things that are talked about in the book by the author still exist today. Even though the author did not talk about the existence of the Great Wall of China which was not existent at the time, other authors did the same. The Great Wall of China came into existence later once Marco had already moved out of the country. Marcos also describes his attendance of the Kublai Khan. The consequences of the fictional journey that Marcos had to the Asian country is clear than the other accounts. The documents that were recorded by Marcos are also an interest of study more than any other account done in relation to travelling to the China. History is enriched by learning more about the Marcos Polo travels to China.[Polo, Marco. The description of the world. (Hackett Publishing, 2016), 7.]
Impact of Marco Polo Accounts on World History
Marco polo was able to change the world of writing especially in relation to the world history with his travels. His accounts of the travels that he made was able to inspire new generation of writers and adventures such as Christopher Columbus. Christopher always carried a book by Polo in any of the adventure that he made. He was as a result an important historian who brought a lot of knowledge to the world in relation to travelling. The maps that polo was able to develop due to his travels have being used to make the location of different parts of the European countries. The maps over time have being able to be improvised. The direction of movement especially with relation to the movement to China from Europe.[Ibid., 133.]
Historical innovations in relation to the Chinese paper and money have also being studies more due the writings of Polo. The culture and the ways of life of the people that live in the Chinese environs have being able to be embraced more. This is due to keenness of many of the historical authors being critical of the works that had being done initially by Polo. More young travelers have being able to take note of the importance that exist as a result of documenting ones experiences. Due to the documentation of these kind of experiences the future generations can be able to learn from them and embrace the beauty of other culture other than the one they are brought up with.[Hughes, Muriel J. "Marco Polo and Medieval Silk." (Textile History 2013), 67.]
Due to the many voyages that Polo was able to survive and believe among many that Marcos was an intellectual explorer have led to more studies of the life of Marcos Polo. Some try to identity if the paintings they see are of the real Polo. This is influences more people into becoming explorers.
Marcos Polo on Mongols
Marco moved to china at the height of the empire of Mongols Empire. The powerful Mongols ruler at the time was Kublai Khan who was able to give him trips to tour the Asian country. The Mongols leader was the founder of the dynasty and the decisions they made were what they believed was the best idea in order to be able to keep the dynasty. The dynasty of the Mongols had the main role of ensuring that it would be protected from its enemies.[Ibid., 111.]
Polo also talks of how the Mongols Empire was able to go to war with the Genghis who was one of the grandsons of Kublai Khan. The leader of the empire that was in china was able to take over power and defeat his cousin in the process of the power struggle that was happening. In the end Mongols came to lose control of the empire of Persia. This was when the b...