Magellan's Voyage and Pigafetta

Antonio Pigafetta

• Italian nobleman who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century on the first voyage to circumnavigate the world
• Wrote the primary source document of the voyage, originally in Italian and translated to English

Magellan's Voyage

• Started in 1519 and ended in 1522
• Magellan's voyage was partly motivated by the discovery of new lands to claim for Portugal and Spain
• It was a time when the prevailing theory of the universe was geocentric - Earth was the center of the universe
• At the time, the Catholic Church had a lot of power, and there was an interest in expanding Christianity

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• Established a demaraction line with Spain and Portugal to settle their claims for newly discovered lands
• The line divided the world and divided the control of new lands
• "Inter Caetera" a concept used to justify the Spanish exploration

Voyage Highlights

• The Estracho de Magallanes, a narrow strait that Magellan named after himself
• The crew of the voyage, including Magellan, crossed the Atlantic Ocean
• The Pacific Ocean, which is now an ocean, was first named Mar Pacifico, "peaceful sea", by Magellan's expedition because of the calm sailing conditions
• The Islas Ladrones, or the "Islands of the Thieves", was a group of islands Magellan encountered in the Pacific Ocean, now known as the Mariana Islands.

Philippines

• The ship arrived in the waters near the Island of Suluan on March 16, 1521
• The first landfall was in Homonhon Island, eastern Samar was where Pigafetta found the "first signs of gold"
• The island was renamed the Archipelago of St. Lazarus
• The Balangay, Coracoa, or Karakuwa was a type of boat traditionally used by the ancient Visayans of the Philippines
• The Easter Mass was celebrated on March 31, 1521 in Mazaua (Limasawa)
• A cross was planted on the island, symbolizing the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines by Magellan

Historical Context

• In the early 16th century, the concept of "God, Gold, and Glory" was a motivating factor for European exploration, as it was during the Age of Discovery

Legacy

• Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521
• Juan Sebastian Elcano, captain of the Victoria was the first ship to complete the circumnavigation of the world and returned to Spain in 1522
• Elcano was recognized by Emperor Charles V, who gave him a coat of arms with a globe engraved with Primus Circundedisti Me ("You went around me first")
• The voyage covered 14,460 leagues (about 81,449 kilometers)

Explore the historical significance of Antonio Pigafetta's writings about Ferdinand Magellan's voyage, the first circumnavigation of the world. Learn about the Treaty of Tordesillas and the motivations behind this monumental expedition that took place from 1519 to 1522.