Niccolò Polo
Niccolò Polo (c. 1230 - unknown) was a Venetian explorer and merchant, and the father of the famous explorer, Marco Polo. Niccolò and his brother Maffeo were also influential members of the Assassin Order, who founded several Assassin branches, such as in the Byzantine Empire and Italy.
Biography
Stay at Masyaf
In the year of 1257 Niccolò and his brother, Maffeo, were visited by the Assassin Darim Ibn-La'Ahad in Constantinople and invited to temporarily stay the Assassins' fortress of Masyaf, so they might interview the Mentor, Darim's father, Altaïr. They spent six months in Masyaf, and while his brother grew restless, longing to set sail and leave the Assassin's fortress behind, Niccolò spent much of his time with Altaïr. To counter his brother's boredom Niccolò told him about the history of the fortress.[1]
During the preliminary Mongol attacks on the fortress in 1257, the Mentor bequeathed unto Niccolò five keys, asking him to keep them safe. Altaïr also gave Niccolò his Codex, though it was lost two days later, during an attack by a Mongol scouting party.[1]
Forming Assassins Guilds
Following these events, the Polos', now honorary members of the Assassin Order, returned to Constantinople, aiming to establish an Assassins Guild within the city. They made an attempt to do so and hid some of the Seals in Constantinople.[1]
They later continued onward to their home in Italy, where they also established a guild.[2] He also made a journal detailing the stories of Altaïr's life and the Polo brothers' stay in Masyaf.[1]
Legacy
Marco, Niccolò's son, would also eventually become an Assassin and regain the Codex from Kublai Khan.[3]
In 1510, his journal was found by Ezio Auditore da Firenze, using the journal to aid him in a search for the seals.[4]
Gallery
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Niccolo and Maffeo Polo.
References
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