The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2
1298
Translated by Henry, Sir Yule
The second volume of Marco Polo's legendary account carries readers deeper into the Mongol empire's western reaches, where the Silk Road dissolved into a mosaic of sultanates, city-states, and territories no European had mapped. Polo departs from Cambaluc (modern Beijing) and pushes toward regions that would remain largely invisible to Western eyes for centuries. Here he catalogues Juju's silk workshops, the astonishing marble bridge spanning the Pulisanghin River, and trading practices that seemed to belong to another world. The prose alternates between sharp merchant's eye and medieval wonder: descriptions of spices, textiles, and wealth so vast they strain credulity. Polo insists he is telling the truth, yet some passages read as much as fantasy as fact. That tension is precisely where the book's power lies. This is the document that taught medieval Europe to dream of Cathay, the text that fired Columbus's imagination centuries later. It remains essential reading for anyone curious about how the West first learned to conceive of the East.
About The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2
Chapter Summaries
- 35
- Marco Polo begins his account of traveling westward from Cambaluc on the Emperor's business. He describes the magnificent stone bridge over the Pulisanghin River, with its marble lions and columns, representing one of the finest bridges in the world.
- 36
- The journey continues to Juju (Cho-chau), a city known for silk production and trade. Here the road bifurcates, with one branch leading west through Cathay and another southeast toward Manzi, establishing the geographic framework for the narrative.
- 37
- Description of the journey through Taianfu (T'ai-yuan fu), famous for its wine production and military equipment manufacturing. The region is noted for its excellent vineyards and represents the only wine-producing area in Cathay.
Key Themes
- Cultural Exchange and Observation
- Marco Polo serves as a bridge between East and West, documenting customs, architecture, and social practices. His detailed observations of marriage customs, trade practices, and local traditions demonstrate the medieval fascination with exotic cultures.
- Political Power and Conquest
- The text explores the transition from independent kingdoms to Mongol imperial rule. The story of the Golden King's downfall illustrates how political power shifts through both military conquest and diplomatic maneuvering.
- Trade and Economic Networks
- Commerce forms the backbone of the societies described, from silk production to customs duties. The detailed accounts of trade routes, currencies, and commercial practices reveal the sophisticated economic systems of medieval Asia.
Characters
- Marco Polo(protagonist)
- Venetian traveler and narrator of this account, serving as an emissary for the Great Khan. He provides detailed observations of the lands, peoples, and customs he encounters during his westward journey through Cathay.
- Great Khan (Kublai Khan)(major)
- Mongol emperor who rules over vast territories including Cathay and Manzi. He sends Marco Polo on official business and maintains control over the regions described.
- Prester John(major)
- Legendary Christian ruler who captures and humiliates the Golden King. He represents the complex political dynamics between different kingdoms in the region.
- Golden King (Roi d'Or)(major)
- Ruler of a castle with beautiful palaces and portrait galleries. He is betrayed by his own trusted servants and captured by Prester John, representing the fall of the Kin Dynasty.
- Mangalai(major)
- Son of the Great Khan who rules the kingdom of Kenjanfu (Si-ngan fu) with justice and equity. He is beloved by his people and maintains a magnificent palace.
- Seventeen gallants(minor)
- Servants of Prester John who infiltrate the Golden King's court for two years before betraying him. They represent the theme of deception and political intrigue.
