In the early 1200s Genghis Khan's armies rose out of the eastern steppe and built the world's largest empire, stretching from China in the East almost all the way to Vienna.  The West made repeated forays into the East to seek out the Khan and his successors. 

Meanwhile, the Mongolian Empire was growing and bringing everyone within reach into their grasp.  The conquered civilizations were therefore pouring oodles and oodles of tribute into the coffers of the Khan and the Mongolian Empire.  Decades of tribute created a rich empire with a hearty appetite for luxury goods.

Enter, then, merchants who sought to satiate this hunger, namely, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo and Niccolo's son Marco Polo...

*****

As always, you can reach the Buf at [email protected]

*****

As you know, this is an independent podcast so your hosts also carry all the expenses of running this podcast. As such, some of you have asked how you can help out. Well, here's the answer: support us on Buy Me a Coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bufnagle

On this page, you can do a really nice thing like send us a couple dollars to help cover the cost of recording and hosting and microphones and research and all that. Any little bit really helps! Thank you in advance!!!