(1254-1324) Venetian traveler and writer. He joined his father (Niccolo) and uncle (Maffeo), who had traveled to China as merchants (1260–69), when they began a journey overland back to China (1271). Once there, he learned Mongolian and served the emperor Kubla Khan until he returned to Europe by sea 1292–95.
He was captured while fighting for Venice against Genoa, and, while in prison 1296–98, dictated an account of his travels. These accounts have remained the primary source of information about the Far East until the 19th century.

Stick-and-ball game played between two teams of four on horseback. It originated in Iran, spread to India and was first played in England 1869. Polo is played on the largest field of any game, measuring up to 274 m/300 yd by 182 m/200 yd. A small solid ball is struck with the side of a longhandled mallet through goals at each end of the field. A typical match lasts about an hour, and is divided into “chukkas” of 7˝ minutes each. No pony is expected to play more than two chukkas in the course of a day.
A game similar to field hockey but played on horseback using long-handled mallets and a wooden ball.

1. City in Illinois (USA); zip code 61064.
2. City in Missouri (USA); zip code 64671.