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Marco Polo was born into a family of Venetian merchants, and at just seventeen, he embarked on a voyage to Eastern Asia with his father and uncle. They aimed to establish trade relations with distant lands, particularly with Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China. Their journey allegedly took them across perilous routes, where they encountered vast cultures, immense riches, and a highly advanced civilization.
However, upon his return to Venice after 24 years of travel, Polo faced disbelief from his peers and was even nicknamed "Il Milione," implying he was merely a braggart. His tales recounted in a Genovese jail with the help of his fellow prisoner Rustichello of Pisa spawned the era’s literary sensation, gaining traction as a bestseller despite mounting skepticism over its authenticity.