This morning we’re going to take a walk to see the Rialto bridge. The bridge that exists today was built of stone in 1590. The original Rialto bridge was a wooden structure built in the 12th century, shortly after the Crusaders returned from Constantinople. Someone we’ve all heard of probably walked across the Rialto bridge right about that time. His name was Marco Polo.
12-Century Venice
The 12th century marked the start of a period of prosperity for Venice that lasted 300 years. Western civilization was mired in the Dark Ages, but Venice was on a roll. Venetians extended their territory far beyond their little lagoon.
Marco Polo was born in Venice about this time, in 1254. You know Marco Polo — he went to China, met Kublai Khan, came back with spaghetti, and invented a game played in a swimming pool. Busy guy! But you need to hear the REST of the story…
Marco P. wasn’t the only Venetian who did some serious traveling. The reason we know about him is because of the famous book, “The Travels of Marco Polo”. But Marco didn’t write it. So who did?
When Marco was 17 years old, his dad and his uncle took him on an expedition to the Far East. This was their second trip. They were gone 24 years. When they returned, Venice was at war with its neighbor, Genoa. Marco was caught by the Genoese and thrown into prison.
His cellmate was a fellow who was something of a China buff himself. He took notes while Marco told him all about what they had seen and done. Those notes, plus whatever else Marco’s cellmate decided on his own to toss in, became the book.
Over the years, other versions of the famous book have turned up. Today it’s difficult to know who really did what when.
The Travels of Marco Polo
In the 12th century, when the original notes were written, books as we know them didn’t exist. (The printing press wouldn’t be invented for another 200 years). Quality control wasn’t quite what it is today. But even with all that fuzziness about its origins, “The Travels of Marco Polo” was still an important book.
Christopher Columbus had a 1477 edition that he not only read, but filled the margins with notes, too. It’s in a museum in Spain. How neat would it be to see that book in person?
There’s still a lot of controversy about what Marco Polo brought back, and whether or not he even existed. Most historians believe that he did exist. But 12th century history gets fuzzy over time, and there are parts of the book that are generally believed to not be true.
The majority who believe that Marco Polo did indeed exist agree that he had a 24-year adventure and that he did hang out with the great Kublai Khan. It was during his time with Kublai Khan that most of his cool “discoveries” were made.
Marco Polo and Kublai Khan
Many are captured in ancient records taken at the time, when scribes would record the conversations of the great Khan. (We know he was “great,” because scribes don’t record the conversations of regular guys. Plus, Kublai Khan had those dual custom beard things way before Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean).
Let’s consider one of these conversations to get the essence of the times. A warning, though — Yuan Dynasty documents are difficult to translate, and somewhat subject to interpretation.
Great Khan — “Hello, Marco-san. What is on your inquisitive mind today?”
Marco — “Well, Great Khan… “
Great Khan — “Please, call me ‘Kublai’.”
Marco — “Well, er, uh, Kublai, I was wondering what the kidney-shaped thing down there with the water in it is. We don’t have those back home.”
Great Khan — “Ah yes. I call it my swimming pool. The kids like to swim in it.”
Marco — “What’s that game they’re playing in the swimming pool?”
Great Khan — “It’s called ‘Kublai Khan’. The kid wearing the blindfold calls out ‘Kublai’, and the others call out ‘Khan’ until he finds them all.”
Marco — “Fascinating. The kids back home will love this! But I have one more question for you.”
Great Khan — “You have only but to ask the Great Khan.”
Marco — “Where can a guy can get a plate of spaghetti around here?”
Great Khan — “Ha ha ha! You crazy Westerners. There’s no such thing as spaghetti. We haven’t invented it yet! Where do you get these wild ideas?”
Marco — “Well, it’s just that my mom used to make it for me when I was a kid.”
Great Khan — “Enough! Take this precocious lad away. I’ve had my fill
of Westerners for one day!”
OK. That’s probably enough translation for now, eh?
To be continued…
Photo of the Rialto Bridge. Credit: Chene Beck/Wikimedia Commons
