Final answer:
The book Travels, by Marco Polo, was used by Christopher Columbus as a guide and source of inspiration for his expedition to the Indies. This book, filled with descriptions of Eastern riches, fueled the imaginations of many explorers, including Columbus, who sought to discover new routes and lands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The book used as an allegory for Christopher Columbus' expedition was Travels, also known as The Travels of Marco Polo. This work, associated with its author Marco Polo, detailed his journey to the court of Kublai Khan and his experiences in the East. The vivid descriptions of the wealth and splendor of the Eastern lands captured the imagination of readers, including Christopher Columbus, who carried a copy of the book during his own exploratory voyage. The accounts spurred the desires and ambitions of many, including Columbus, who sought to attain glory and riches through exploration and discovery.
Christopher Columbus was notably influenced by the elaboration of fantastical lands in this literature, which led him to embark on his journey underwritten by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. His annotated copy of Marco Polo's Travels was indicative of how deeply the content of the book influenced his objectives and expectations during the journey to find the elusive Indies.