Account of the First Voyage Around the World PDF

Antonio Pigafetta (c. 1491 – c. 1531) was an Italian explorer and chronicler who is best known for his written account of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth. He kept a detailed diary about the expedition. His work, titled "Relazione del primo v...

Antonio Pigafetta (c. 1491 – c. 1531) was an Italian explorer and chronicler who is best known for his written account of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth. He kept a detailed diary about the expedition. His work, titled "Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo" (Account of the First Voyage Around the World), is one of the most important sources for understanding the events of Magellan's circumnavigation. Ferdinand Magellan (1480–1521) was a Portuguese explorer who is best known for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth. In 1521, he was killed in the Philippines during a battle with local warriors, warriors of Lapu-lapu (Silapulapu). His work, titled "Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo" (Account of the First Voyage Around the World), is one of the most important sources for understanding the events of Magellan's circumnavigation. After Magellan's death, Juan Sebastian Elcano took command of the remaining ship, the Victoria, and continued the journey. Elcano's accomplishment was significant in the history of exploration, demonstrating that the Earth was indeed round and that it was possible to sail around it. Magellan’s expedition Trinidad San Antonio Concepción Victoria Santiago Challenges that Magellan’s expedition faced: Battle with indigenous peoples Mutiny Extreme weather conditions Brief Summary of Important events: In search of fame and fortune, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set out from Seville on August 10, 1519, with a fleet known as the Armada de Moluccas, consisting of five ships, to discover a western sea route to the Spice Islands. According to Pigafetta's account, their fleet reached the Ladrones Islands, "Land of Thieves." He describes the islanders as "thieves" and notes, "These people have no arms but use sticks with a fishbone at the end. They are poor but ingenious, and great thieves, and for that reason, we called these three islands the 'Ladrones Islands.'" Ten days after reaching the Ladrones Islands, they landed on the Isle of Zamal (present-day Samar). On March 18, after two days, they were welcomed by the natives, with whom they exchanged goods such as drinks and food. Pigafetta described the natives as "very familiar and friendly." The fleet then went to Humunu Island (Homonhon), where they found what Pigafetta referred to as the "Watering Place of Good Signs." They named the nearby island the Archipelago of St. Lazarus. On March 25, they encountered a balanghai, a long boat full of people from Massava (present-day Limasawa Island, Leyte). The leader of the balanghai sent his men to Magellan's ship, and the Europeans entertained them with gifts. After a few days, Magellan met the leader's brother, who was also a leader of his own tribe. His name was Raia Calambu (Rajah Kolambu), King of the Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Caragua), who was described by Pigafetta as the most handsome of all the men in this place. On March 31, Magellan ordered a chaplain to preside over a mass as it was Easter Sunday. Pigafetta reported that the kings attended the mass: "When the offertory of the mass came, the two kings went to kiss the cross like us, but they offered nothing. At the elevation of the body of our Lord, they were kneeling like us and adored our Lord with joined hands." This Mass would go down in history as the first Mass in the Philippines, and the cross would become the famed Magellan's Cross. On April 7, Magellan and his men reached Zubu (present-day Cebu), where the king demanded a tribute as was the custom. However, Magellan refused, stating that he was a captain under another king. His faith entailed children's honor and obedience to their parents. On April 14, the people gathered with the king and other principal men of the islands. Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged him to be a good Christian by burning all of the idols and worshipping the cross instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. On April 26, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan), went to see Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men so that he could fight the chief named Silapulapu (Lapulapu). "Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo" (Account of the First Voyage Around the World) The Chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by historians who wished to study the pre colonial Philippines. Moreover, being the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta's writings account for the "purest" pre colonial society. The First Voyage Around the World by Magellan was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyagers and navigators of the sixteenth century. Pigafetta's journal is also a vital piece not only of Philippine history, but also of World history. He narrated the events that transpired in a way that gives the readers of his journal a clear picture of what it was like to be part of the first voyage around the world.