Bartolomeo Dias: biography and discoveries

The Portuguese navigator Bartolomeo Dias is one of the first European explorers of the World Ocean. His most famous journey ended in the fact that he managed to round Africa.

early years

The early biography of Bartolomeo Dias is almost unknown because of its unclear origin. He was born around 1550. The future seafarer was lucky to get an education at the University of Lisbon. In the main Portuguese monastery of knowledge, Bartolomeo Dias studied mathematics and astronomy. These sciences were the main applied disciplines for sailors. Therefore it is not surprising that the young man connected his life with travel.

The second half of the 15th century was a great time to become a seafarer. Bartolomeo Dias was in the first European generation, which was destined to start discovering distant countries. Prior to this, in the representations of Catholics, the world was confined to their continent and two more parts of the world - Africa and Asia. In the Late Middle Ages, a technological leap occurred. There were new ships and instruments, which allowed the captains to keep the course correctly.

In his youth, Bartolomeo Dias worked in the port. His first expedition occurred in 1481. At this time, the Portuguese just started exploring the west coast of Africa. Bartolomeo Dias took part in the construction of an important Elmina fort in the territory of modern Ghana. This fortress became the main transshipment base for future Portuguese expeditions.

First travels

The Portuguese authorities carefully followed the news from their navigators. European kings were obsessed with the idea of finding the shortest path to distant India. There were a lot of expensive and unique goods in this country. The state that controlled trade with India would be an order of magnitude richer than its neighbors.

The main struggle in the XV-XVI centuries. In the sea unfolded between Portugal and Spain. Their ships competed in the domestic European markets and were now ready to go beyond the Old World. Portuguese King João II personally oversaw the study of the west coast of Africa. The monarch wanted to find out how far this continent extends to the south and whether it can be rounded up with the help of the fleet.

In 1474, at the expense of the state, the expedition of Diogu Cana was organized. He was an experienced captain, whose partner and companion was Bartolomeo Dias. Kanu managed to get to Angola and open a new frontier for his successors. During the trip, the brave explorer died, and the expedition returned to Lisbon.

Expedition to India

Juan II, despite the failure, did not want to give up. He assembled a new fleet. This time the captain of the squadron was Bartolomeo Dias. The discoveries that he could make in case of success of a risky enterprise would turn the views of Europeans about the world around them. Dias received three ships. One of them was commanded by the brother of seafarer Diogo.

In total, the team was 60 people. They were the most experienced and sophisticated sailors of their time. All of them already visited Africa, knew coastal waters and the safest route. Particularly distinguished Peru Alinker - the most famous navigator of his era.

On the African shores

Dias sailed from his native country in the summer of 1487. In December, he managed to overcome the line, not obeyed the last expedition. Because of the storms that have begun, the ships had to leave for some time to the open sea. The entire January of the ship wandered in the South Atlantic. The waves grew colder, and it became clear to the team that she was off course. It was decided to turn back. However, by this time the current carried two small ships too far to the east.

Finally, on February 3, the sailors again saw the African land behind the stern. Because of the winding route, they sailed past the Cape of Good Hope - the southernmost point of the mainland. Approaching the shore, the Portuguese saw mountains and green hills. The bright and picturesque nature of these places inspired Dias to call the bay, which included its ships, the bay Pastukhov. Europeans really saw cows and their masters - local natives.

On the shore lived the Hottentots. This tribe first learned about the existence of white people. Expedition Bartolomeo Dias was carefully organized - the Portuguese took Africans from Ghana (in case they need translators). However, they could not find a common language with the Hottentots. The natives were wary of the strangers and attacked them. One of them from the crossbow was shot by Bartolomeo Dias himself. Africa was inhospitable. Europeans had to back off and try to find a quieter place for disembarkation.

Homecoming

All the trips of Bartolomeo Diash were unpredictable. None of the sailors knew what was waiting for them on the new shore. After the conflict with the natives, the Portuguese swam for another hundred kilometers to the east. In the area of the modern city of Port Elizabeth, officers began to demand a return home. Bartolomeo Dias did not agree with this. The biography of the navigator was full of such dangers. He wanted to continue his journey to the east. However, the captain still yielded to the requirements of the team, for fear of rebellion. In addition, officers and sailors faced the threat of an outbreak of scurvy on their ships. The Europeans tried to replenish the reserves of drinking water ashore, however in that era of illness the crew could overcome the crew at any stage of the voyage.

On the way back, the ships finally found themselves on the shore of the Cape of Good Hope. Europeans first found themselves in the southern point of the African continent. Then this place was called the Cape of Storms. This toponym was chosen by Bartolomeo Dias. What did he discover in that far 1488? It was the shortest sea route to India. Dias himself never visited this distant and desirable country, but it was he who became the main harbinger of this Portuguese discovery.

Importance of discovery

After 16 months of travel, at the very end of 1488, Dias returned to his homeland. His discoveries became a state secret. In Portugal, they feared that news about new lands would spark interest in Spain. For this reason, there was not even a documentary evidence of a meeting between Dias and Joao. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that he was rewarded for his courage and professionalism.

The scantiness of the documents relating to the expedition caused the historians not to find out which ships Diash had received - caravels or other models. At that time, even the Portuguese and the Spaniards had too little experience in exploring the ocean. Many trips were organized in many ways at their own peril and risk. Diasha's journey was not an exception.

Preparation of a new journey to the east

Before Portugal opened incredible hitherto opportunities. However, the Crown took a long time to organize the new expedition. João began to have problems with money, and the projects of searching for the eastern way were for the time being curtailed.

Only in 1497 the monarch finally sent ships to India. However, the head of that expedition was Vasco da Gama. Bartolomeo Dias, whose photos are in every textbook of geography, received another assignment. The former captain began to supervise the construction of ships for the expedition of his comrade. Dias as no one else knew what the Portuguese will have to face in the eastern seas. The ships created by his project did not disappoint the travelers who went to India.

Continuation of service

When the Vasco da Gama expedition was ready for dispatch, Dias was appointed commandant of the fortress on the Gold Coast (modern Guinea). The navigator accompanied the travelers to India until he was at the fort where he needed to serve.

Guesses Dias about India were confirmed in a few years. Vasco da Gama, following the instructions of his senior comrade, really got to the legendary country. Soon, expensive Eastern goods began flowing into Portugal, making this small kingdom one of the richest European states.

Opening of Brazil

The last trip of Dias was an expedition to Brazil. If the Portuguese were looking for India, following the eastern course, then their main competitors the Spaniards went to the west. So in 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America. News about the new uncharted continent and islands in the west intrigued the Portuguese.

The king financed several more expeditions to get ahead of the Spaniards. At this time in European politics, the rule was that the newly discovered land became the property of the country that owned the ships that had discovered an unprecedented shore.

In 1500, Bartolomeo Dias ruled the vessel as part of an expedition that reached Brazil. The ships of the Portuguese went south of the usual Spanish course. The success of the trip was impressive. The shore was opened, and there was no end to it. The Europeans did not yet understand: the way to India or to another part of the world.

Dias was not lucky on the way back: May 29, 1500, his ship fell into a terrible Atlantic storm, which was so afraid of European researchers. The ship of the bold and experienced captain was lost. He died in the waters that immortalized his name.