on the imagination for the _origines_ of states and families, it
was set down by one Venetian Antiquary that among the companions of
King Venetus, or of Prince Antenor of Troy, when they settled on the
northern shores of the Adriatic, there was one LUCIUS POLUS, who became
the progenitor of our Traveller’s Family;[1] whilst another deduces it
from PAOLO the first Doge[2] (Paulus Lucas Anafestus of Heraclea, A.D.
696).
More trustworthy traditions, recorded among the Family Histories of
Venice, but still no more it is believed than traditions, represent the
Family of Polo as having come from Sebenico in Dalmatia, in the 11th
century.[3] Before the end of the century they had taken seats in the
Great Council of the Republic; for the name of Domenico Polo is said to
be subscribed to a grant of 1094, that of Pietro Polo to an act of the
time of the Doge Domenico Michiele in 1122, and that of a Domenico Polo
to an acquittance granted by the Doge Domenico Morosini and his Council
in 1153.[4]
The ascertained genealogy of the Traveller, however, begins only with
his grandfather, who lived in the early part of the 13th century.
Two branches of the Polo Family were then recognized, distinguished by
the _confini_ or Parishes in which they lived, as Polo of S. Geremia,
and Polo of S. Felice. ANDREA POLO of S. Felice was the father of three
sons, MARCO, NICOLO, and MAFFEO. And Nicolo was the Father of our Marco.
[Sidenote: Claims to be styled noble.]