??marco polo ??: Did you mean...?

This map illustrates the four major khanates that emerged from the Mongol Empire in the early 14th century, following the fragmentation of the vast domain once ruled by Genghis Khan (circa 1162 to 1227, reign 1206 to 1227). Although no longer...

As the 15th century ended, Europeans were still mostly in the dark about the Eastern world. Early travelers like Marco Polo had given the West tidbits of information, but these accounts were too highly colored and fragmentary to provide a...

The Pallavas ruled south-eastern India from the 3rd through the 9th centuries CE. Their empire covered what is today the Tamil Nadu state. Their origin is shrouded in mystery though historians believe their roots might have been from Andhra...

A yurt (ger in Mongolian) is a large circular tent made of wool felt stretched over a wooden frame used by nomadic peoples of the Asian steppe since before written records began. Yurts are especially associated with Mongol herders and hunters...

The Golden Horde was the European appanage of the Mongol Empire (1206-1368 CE). Begun in earnest by Batu Khan in 1227 CE, the territory that would eventually become the Golden Horde came to encompass parts of Central Asia, much of Russia...

The Djinguereber Mosque, Timbuktu, Mali. The mosque, made from pounded earth and wood, was built during the reign of Mansa Musa (1312-1337 CE), ruler of the Mali Empire. Photo credit: UN Photo/Marco Dormino

The Mongol Empire during the reign of Kublai Khan (r. 1260 - 1294 CE).

A painting of Mongol ruler Kublai Khan (r. 1260 - 1294 CE) by the Nepalese astrologer and artist Araniko (1245–1306 CE). Although the portrait depicts Kublai Khan as he appeared at the beginning of his reign, it was actually painted after...

A modern statue of the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan (l. 1215-1294 CE). Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Transfiguration of Christ, painting by Fra Angelico, photograph by Sailko, Florence, 22 July, 2009. This fresco painted by Fra Angelico in Cell 6 at the Convent of San Marco in Florence, now the San Marco Museum, shows Christ standing on...