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Beginning from the early 15th century until the middle of the 17th century, European explorers took to the seas in search of trade, knowledge, and power.

The story of human exploration is as old as the story of civilisation, and many of the stories of these explorers have become legends over the centuries.

Here are 15 of the most famous explorers during the Age of Exploration, before and after.

1.

Marco Polo ()

A Venetian merchant and adventurer, Marco Polo travelled along the Silk Road from Europe to Asia between and

Originally invited to the court of Kublai Khan () with his father and uncle, he remained in China for 17 years where the Mongol ruler sent him on fact-finding missions to distant parts of the empire.

Upon his return to Venice, Polo was imprisoned in Genoa alongside the writer Rustichello da Pisa.

The result of their encounter was Il mili