Marco Polo

The commentary’s character references identify Marco as the son of Messer Nicolo, while the two elder Polos and Maffeo are associated with the family’s successive generations; this excerpt itself does not narrate their family history.

Nicolo is Marco’s father. He travelled east with his brother Maffeo before Marco joined them, and Marco later returned to Venice to find Nicolo had remarried and had three younger sons.

Donata was Marco’s wife; he named her a trustee in his will and provided for her during her lifetime.

Ranuzzo Dolfino was married to Marco Polo’s daughter Moreta.

Stefano was Marco’s younger half-brother, born to Nicolo during Marco’s imprisonment.

Marco’s travels and narrative are connected to the earlier journeys of the two elder Polos, Nicolo and Maffeo.

Andrea Polo of S. Felice was Marco Polo’s paternal grandfather and the father of Nicolo Polo.

Bellela was one of Marco’s three daughters and an heir to his estate; she was married before his death and had died by 1333.

Fantina was one of Marco’s three daughters and an heir to his estate; she was married to Marco Bragadino.

Giovanni was Marco’s younger half-brother, born to Nicolo during Marco’s imprisonment.

Marco Bragadino was married to Marco Polo’s daughter Fantina.

Moreta was Marco’s youngest daughter and an heir to his estate; she later married Ranuzzo Dolfino.

Ysabeta was identified as Marco’s sister-in-law; his will records that she owed him three hundred lire.

Marco’s account describes several Central Asian territories as subject to the Great Kaan, Kubilai Khan, whose authority shapes the political geography through which Marco travels.

Marco writes as a close observer of the emperor’s court and describes its seasonal routines, feasts, and hunting in admiring terms.

John of Ypres included a French version of Polo's book in his collection of eastern travel accounts and recounted the Polo family's journeys.

Abulfeda’s account of Old Hormuz’s relocation to an island is cited as corroboration and context for Polo’s description.

According to the Ramusian version, Marco was present when Ahmad was murdered after the Cathayans rose against him.

Marco's narrative alludes to legendary Alexander romances, including stories of Gog and Magog, Roxana, and the Arbre Sec; the text treats these as literary traditions rather than a personal relationship.

Bonaguisi copied a manuscript of Marco's book in 1392 and added a note expressing disbelief in its extraordinary reports.

Marco served as a galley commander in the Venetian fleet under Dandulo’s command; both were captured in the Genoese victory at Curzola.

The romance of Baudouin de Sebourc borrows multiple themes and episodes from Marco's travels, adapting them into a highly imaginative narrative.

Marco gave Thibault a copy of his book, glad that it would reach France and be made known to Charles of Valois, the prince whom Thibault served.

Marco travels with Cocachin as one of her protectors; she looks on the three envoys as fathers and weeps when they part.

They were contemporaries, but the text notes no evidence that Dante referred to Marco or his book.

Marco’s will bequeaths five lire to Friar Benvenuto, in addition to the amount Benvenuto owed him.

Pipino translated Marco's book from the Lombardic vernacular into Latin and also drew on it for his chronicle.

Houtum-Schindler assesses Polo’s routes and offers interpretations of his journeys between Kerman and Hormuz and toward Cobinan.

The text says Marco conveyed a bride from Cambaluc to Gházán Khan.

Ramusio prepared and published a substantially expanded Italian version of Polo’s work, drawing on several textual sources.

Ibn Batuta’s observations of Hormuz, its people, diet, and the deadly hot wind are compared with Polo’s account.

Marco and the other Venetians accompanied Kokáchin on the sea voyage to Persia; she came to regard them with filial affection.

Marco was captured by the Genoese during the naval conflict and imprisoned; the supplied chapters introduce this captivity, though they do not yet explain this named figure’s role.

Smith travelled and reported on a route that the commentary compares in detail with Marco Polo’s itinerary from Kerman to Hormuz.

Sykes investigated the Persian routes and argued that the Sardu route fits Marco Polo’s itinerary.

The author finds no trace that Sanudo knew Marco or his work, despite overlapping interests in eastern affairs.

Toscanelli transmitted knowledge of Polo's revelations to Columbus, helping make Polo's account part of the intellectual background to the westward voyage.

Marco and the other Polos returned to Acre after Tedaldo Visconti became Pope Gregory X, enabling them to carry out Kúblái’s commission and obtain a reply.

The author suggests that Rashid al-Din may have obtained some information from Marco personally, though this remains a possibility rather than a demonstrated relationship.

The text identifies Rusticiano as the literary amanuensis who wrote down Marco's account; it regards the geographic narrative as close to Marco's oral testimony while leaving possible stylistic influence unresolved.

Browne treated Marco's account cautiously, advising readers to keep a wary eye while reading it.

Marco recounts the Old Man’s story as local informants told it; the text does not say Marco met him.

The author compares the two medieval travellers, praising Rubruck's account while distinguishing it from Marco's broader range of journeys.

Marco says that he had a Turkish acquaintance, Zurficar, who told him how he had spent three years obtaining the fire-resistant mineral for the Great Kaan.

Polo's accounts of Asia helped inform the geographical tradition that guided Columbus's aims, though the text cautions that Columbus's central ideas came chiefly through other authorities.

Pelly’s observations of Old Hormuz and its surroundings are used by the commentator to corroborate details of Polo’s account.

Odoric was a near-contemporary traveller whose work and observations are compared with Marco's, including details of Chinese customs Marco omitted.

Marco’s will mentions a debt owed to him by the Dominican friar Renier and also bequeaths Renier ten lire.

Giovanni, a priest and notary, drew up Marco’s last will at his request.

Villani refers readers to the book called Milione as an account of Tartar power and dominion, noting Marco's long residence among them.

John obtained a copy of Marco’s book through the copy first brought to France by his father.

Marco entrusted Girardo with musk to sell on commission for half the profits; Girardo failed to account for part of the sale and a deficiency, and Marco sued him.

Peter was Marco’s servant. Marco freed him from bondage in his will, remitted his work-related obligations, and left him money.

Pietro says he knew Marco personally and learned geographical observations from him, describing him as an exceptionally extensive traveller and diligent inquirer.

During Thibault’s stay in Venice, he made Marco’s acquaintance and received from him a copy of Marco’s book.

The author raises the possibility that Wassáf drew some information from Marco during their overlapping periods in Persia, without asserting this as certain.

Bendocquedar’s invasion creates a serious danger for Marco and the traveling party.

Lampa Doria commanded the Genoese fleet that defeated the Venetians at Curzola. Marco was captured in the fighting and sent to Genoa.

Lamba Doria led the Genoese expedition associated with the naval conflict in which Marco was captured and imprisoned.

Nogodar’s Carauna bands nearly captured Marco during a raid; Marco escaped to Conosalmi, while most of his company were taken, enslaved, or killed.