Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer and merchant who traveled extensively throughout Asia during the 13th century. He was born in 1254 in Venice, Italy, to a family of wealthy merchants. His father, Niccolò Polo, and uncle, Maffeo Polo, were already established traders who had traveled to the East and returned with stories of their adventures. They were eager to return to Asia to continue their trade, and they brought Marco along on their second journey.