60, Marco's uncle Maffeo and Marco's father Niccolò made a trading visit into Mongol territory, the land of the Golden Horde, ruled by Berke Khan. While they were there, a war broke out between Berke and the Cowan of Levant, blocking their return home. Because of this, Niccolò and Maffeo traveled deeper into Mongol territory, moving southeast to Bukhara, which was ruled by a Cowan. While waiting there, they met an emissary traveling farther eastward who invited them to accompany him to the court of the great Cowan, Kublai, in Cathy, modern China. In Cathy, Kublai Khan gave the Polo's a friendly reception. He asked the Polo brothers to return to Europe and persuade the pope to send Christian scholars who could explain the Christian religion to him. Niccolò and Maffeo journeyed back to Europe in 1269 to satisfy the Khan's request. (Marco n.d.)
             The pope appointed two missionaries to accompany the Polo's on their return to the Mongol court. The party set out in 1271, this time with Niccolò's son Marco. They were accompanied by two Dominican friars, but the two friars turned back at the first sign of adversity. Aside from the pope's messages, the only spiritual gift Europe was able to furnish the great Kublai Khan was oil from the lamp burning at Jesus Christ's supposed tomb in Jerusalem. (Hubbard n.d.)
             The journey took three and a half years by horseback through some of the world's most rugged terrain, including snowy mountain ranges, such as the Pamirs, and parching
             Polo 4 deserts, like the Gobi. Marco and his party encountered such hazards as wild beasts and brigands (Hubbard n.d.). The group traveled through numerous countries and cultures, noting food, dress, and religion unique
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