Christopher Columbus, born Cristoforo Colombo in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, is one of the most famous and controversial figures in world history. He is best known for his four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, which led to the European discovery and colonization of the Americas, a turning point in global history that would have far-reaching consequences for centuries to come.Columbus was born into a middle-class family of wool traders and weavers in the bustling port city of Genoa. His father, Domenico Colombo, was a master weaver and small-time merchant, while his mother, Susanna Fontanarossa, came from a family of weavers. Columbus had three brothers – Bartolomeo, Giovanni Pellegrino, and Giacomo – and a sister named Bianchinetta.As a young boy, Columbus received a basic education in reading, writing, arithmetic, and drawing. He likely attended a school run by the Franciscan order, where he would have been taught Latin, the language of scholars and the Church. From an early age, Columbus showed a keen interest in geography, astronomy, and navigation, subjects that would later become central to his life and career.At the age of 14, Columbus began his maritime career by sailing on Genoese merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea. He quickly gained experience and expertise in navigation and seamanship, and by his early twenties, he had already sailed as far north as Iceland and as far south as the Gold Coast of Africa.In 1476, Columbus moved to Portugal, which was then a center of maritime exploration and trade. He settled in Lisbon and married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, the daughter of a prominent Portuguese nobleman and navigator. Through his marriage, Columbus gained access to his father-in-law's charts, journals, and maritime connections, which would later prove invaluable in his own voyages of discovery.In the late 15th century, European merchants and explorers were eagerly seeking new routes to the spice-rich lands of Asia, which were then dominated by Muslim traders. The traditional overland routes, such as the Silk Road, had become increasingly dangerous and expensive due to political instability and the spread of Islam. Meanwhile, the Portuguese were exploring a southern route around Africa, hoping to reach India and the East Indies by sea.Columbus, however, had a different idea. He believed that the shortest and most direct route to Asia was to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean. This idea was based on a number of misconceptions and errors in his calculations. Columbus believed that the Earth was much smaller than it actually is, and that the distance between Europe and Asia was much shorter than it really is. He also believed that there was a large undiscovered landmass between Europe and Asia, which he thought might be the lost continent of Atlantis or the biblical land of Ophir.Despite these errors, Columbus was convinced that his plan was feasible and could bring immense wealth and glory to whoever sponsored his voyage. He spent years trying to persuade various European monarchs to support his plan, including the kings of Portugal, England, and France. However, he was repeatedly rejected and ridiculed for his ideas, which were seen as impractical and even heretical by many of his contemporaries.Finally, in 1492, Columbus was able to secure the support of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, the rulers of the newly unified Spain. The Spanish monarchs were eager to find new sources of wealth and to spread Christianity to the far corners of the world. They agreed to sponsor Columbus's voyage and granted him the titles of "Admiral of the Ocean Sea" and "Viceroy and Governor of the Indies" in exchange for a share of the profits from any lands he discovered.On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail from the Spanish port of Palos with three small ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. His crew consisted of about 90 men, including sailors, carpenters, cooks, and a few convicted criminals who had been offered amnesty in exchange for their service.The voyage was long and perilous, with the ships battling rough seas, contrary winds, and the constant threat of mutiny from the crew. Columbus used a combination of dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and his own intuition to chart his course across the uncharted waters of the Atlantic.After sailing for more than two months without sight of land, the crew began to grow restless and threatened to turn back. Columbus, however, remained determined and convinced them to continue on. Finally, on October 12, 1492, the expedition sighted land – a small island in the Bahamas that Columbus named San Salvador (meaning "Holy Savior" in Spanish).Columbus and his men went ashore and were greeted by the native Taíno people, whom Columbus called "Indians" because he believed he had reached the East Indies. The Taíno were initially friendly and welcoming to the Europeans, offering them food, water, and gifts. Columbus, however, saw ...
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May 27 202414 mins