The world was a much different place than we know it today; Venice, with its extreme wealth, was the center of trade for most of the civilized world and the Polo family—Niccolo and his brother Maffeo—were two of its most successful businessmen. Always seeking to enrich their fortunes by forming trading relationships with other lands, the Polo's made it their goal to travel to the Far East—a largely unknown world that was believed by outsiders to be uncivilized, dangerous, and far too threatening to enter let alone conduct business with. With the promise of great wealth awaiting them, however, the two intrepid brothers did not let the possible threats deter them—and, in fact, chose to bring Niccolo's young and impetuous son Marco along with them on the journey.