Marco Polo


 * This article concerns Marco Polo, explorer. For the television story see separate entry.

Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a Venetian trader and explorer who, together with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, was one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road to China (which he called Cathay) and visited the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan). His travels are written down in Il Milione ("The Million" or The Travels of Marco Polo).

He was encountered by the First Doctor, Ian Chesterton, Barbara Wright and Susan Foreman during the events of Marco Polo. He intended to give the Doctor's TARDIS as a gift to the Emperor.