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How have Marco Polo's travel accounts been used to frame the relationship between Asia and Europe?

Loria Pretsell

Marco Polo's travel accounts have played a significant role in framing the relationship between Asia and Europe. The Venetian explorer explored the uncharted parts of Asia during the 13th century, documenting his experiences in his book "The Travels of Marco Polo." His memoirs became a primary resource for scholars, and it contributed to the beginning of a new era of commerce, exploration, and cultural exchange between the east and the west.

One of the ways in which Marco Polo's accounts have been used to frame the relationship between Asia and Europe is by highlighting the vastness and diversity of Asiatic societies. Marco Polo's descriptions of the lands he explored, such as China, Persia, and India, gave readers and historians a glimpse of the rich and diverse cultures of Asia. His accounts offered a rare perspective of the continent, opening the doors for European merchants and adventurers to explore the region further. The rich landscape of Asia, as described by Marco Polo, became a catalyst for economic, social, and cultural exchange between the east and the west.

Another way in which Marco Polo's accounts have been used is by providing valuable insights into the complexities of Asiatic societies. His observations discouraged the West's previous portrayal of Asians as primitive and barbaric. Marco Polo highlighted the advanced infrastructure, governance, and economic systems of the societies he encountered, which were often more advanced than those of Europe in the 13th century. This insight changed the perception of Asians in European minds and helped to reframe the relationship between Asia and Europe, from one of colonization and subservience to one of mutual respect and trade.

The impact of Marco Polo's accounts on European explorers was immeasurable. Marco Polo's descriptions of the Silk Road and the goods traded along it, such as spices, silk, and tea, opened a lucrative new trading route for Europe. This not only fueled European explorers' desire to chart more of the land Marco Polo described but also encouraged them to establish trade connections with Asian societies. These trade connections helped to integrate European traders into the East's socio-cultural landscape. Thus, initiating the era of global trade conducted by Europeans communities.

Finally, Marco Polo's accounts provided valuable cultural insights between the two different continents. In the sphere of religion, for instance, his descriptions of the influences of Buddhism on the Chinese culture opened a new chapter for scholars' study of religion and its adaptation to new social settings. Similarly, Marco Polo provided an early map of the Islamic world based on his own experience, thus pioneering the study of Islam. In this way, his accounts have been used to facilitate cultural exchange and to highlight the similarities and differences between Asia and Europe.

In conclusion, Marco Polo's travel accounts were instrumental in framing the relationship between Asia and Europe. They provided valuable glimpses of lands and cultures that were unknown to Europeans, and they inspired a new era of economic, cultural, and geopolitical exchange. Marco Polo's work was instrumental in building a bridge between Asia and Europe and gave us new insights into the diverse and rich cultural heritage of the two continents. His legacy continues to resonate even today.