Did Marco Polo visit China or
was he an extraordinary liar?
In 1298, Marco Polo of Venice was arrested and put in prison in Genoa. Venice and Genoa
were involved in a civil war and Polo was charged with serving the Venetian army. He was imprisoned
without a trial.
Polo offered a unique defense. He argued that he owed no loyalty to Venice since he had
been gone for over 20 years. Further, he claimed that those 20 years were spent in China. While in jail, he told
his story to his cellmate, Rustically, who wrote the story in a book called Description of the World and later,
The Travels of Marco Polo.
Even in his time, people doubted the stories in the book. They seemed far too fantastic to the
people of Europe. It is important to note, however, that Europe had not yet seen the Renaissance and, in
many ways, their technology was well behind that of China. What seemed like “magic” to them was simple
science to the Chinese. Also, it is impossible to know exactly what parts were added by Rustically to simply
add excitement to the story. However, Polo swore on his deathbed that his story was true, adding “I have not
even told you half of what I saw.”
While most historians have chosen to accept that Polo did visit China, there are many who
continue to argue that he did not. Your job is to examine the evidence and determine the answer.
Did Marco Polo ever reach China or did he simply make up the
story based on what he heard from other travelers?
Agent: ______________
Period: _____
Station 1: Marco Polo’s Will
 Examine the excerpts from Marco Polo’s Last Will and
Testament.
1.
Based on the evidence, do you think Polo received a Golden
Tablet from the Khan? Support your response.
1.
Based on the evidence, do you think Polo had a servant that
travelled from China? Support your response.
1.
Do you believe someone would lie in their will? If so, what might
their motivation be? If not, why not?
 Polo
was
honest.
 Polo
lied.
Station 2: The Missing Pieces
 Examine the elements of Chinese culture and human
geography that were omitted from Polo’s writing.
1.
How could you account for (explain) the absence of the Great Wall from
Polo’s writings?
1.
Why might Polo have not enjoyed a cup of tea or made use of chopsticks?
1.
Which items shown here do you think Polo would have definitely written
about if he had actually seen them? List at least two and discuss your
reasoning.
 Polo
was
honest.
 Polo
lied.
Station 3: Rustichello da Pisa
 Examine the provided excerpts from Rustichello’s lesser known works.
1.
What types of books does Rustichello write? Provide evidence to support your
answer.
1.
Since Rustichello was mostly a fiction writer, defending the truthfulness of his
Marco Polo accounts may be difficult. But, you aren’t here to have an easy go
of things. Defend the truthfulness of Rustichello’s accounts.
1.
If you can argue one side, you can argue both sides. Defend the opinion that
Rustichello’s accounts of Marco Polo’s travels are pure fiction.
 Polo
was
honest.
 Polo
lied.
Station 4: The Annals of Yuan Shih
(A census)
 Examine the provided copy of the census from
Medieval China.
1.
Does Marco Polo’s name appear within the census? If so, in which column
and on what page did you locate it?
 Polo
was
honest.
1.
Based on your answer to the previous question, does this lead you to believe
that Polo did or did not reach China?
 Polo
lied.
1.
If you believe the opposite of your response to question number 1 is true,
how would you support your response? Include your reasoning.
Station 5: The Beijing Bridge
 Examine the primary source provided in which Polo
describes the Beijing Bridge. Compare his description
with what you witness in the video at this station.
1.
To what extent does the written description of the Beijing Bridge match what
you see in the video? Discuss.
1.
Does the amount of detail provided by Polo make you think that he did or
did not reach China? Support your response.
1.
If his accounts of China proved to be accurate, does it mean Polo traveled
to China? How else could the accuracy of his accounts be explained?
 Polo
was
honest.
 Polo
lied.
Station 6: Interactive Map

Follow the alleged path of Marco Polo on the
smart board map -
http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/edsitement.neh.gov/files/M_Polo_Rt
e_Quiz_Revsd02.swf) .

As you answer each of the 20 questions on the
map, record the correct responses below.
1.
___
11. ___
2.
___
12.___
3.
___
13. ___
4.
___
14.___
5.
___
15.___
6.
___
16.___
7.
___
17.___
8.
___
18.___
9.
___
19.___
10.
___
20.___
A) Do you believe that Marco Polo could have
traveled as far as he did in the time frame
associated with his travels? Consider the rough
terrain he crossed as you discuss your answer
below. Include specific physical features he
would have encountered in his travels.
 Polo
was
honest.
 Polo
lied.
INDICTMENT
THE GRAND JURY CHARGES THAT MARCO POLO DID/DID NOT VISIT
CHINA IN THE 1200s.
WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING AS EVIDENCE:
(What stations prove your argument? What do they show?)
EXHIBIT _______ SHOWS…
EXHIBIT _______ SHOWS…
EXHIBIT _______ SHOWS…
Follow-Up Research
 On loose-leaf, create a T-chart labeled “Evidence for
Polo” and “Evidence Against Polo.”
 As you read the articles provided, add to your T-chart
and be sure to cite your evidence.
 An invitation to a dinner party with Marco Polo is
forthcoming.