Ferdinand Magellan vs Marco Polo
How do Ferdinand Magellan and Marco Polo compare? Here is a side-by-side look at their lives, achievements and historical impact.
| Ferdinand Magellan | Marco Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 1480 – 1521 | 1254 – 1324 |
| Born | Northern Portugal | Venice, Republic of Venice |
| Occupation | Explorer, Navigator | Explorer, Merchant, Writer |
| Known for | First circumnavigation of the globe, Strait of Magellan, Crossing the Pacific Ocean, Spanish expedition of 1519 | The Travels of Marco Polo, Journey to Yuan China, Silk Road travel, Court of Kublai Khan |
| Fields | — | — |
| Influence score | 86/100 | 84/100 |
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who, in the service of Spain, led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, proving the world could be sailed around even though he died midway through the voyage.
Full biography →Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer whose travels across Asia to the court of Kublai Khan, recorded in The Travels of Marco Polo, gave medieval Europe its most influential account of the East.
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