Europe had an established land route to Asia (China and India) under the Mongol Empire. Both these countries were vital sources of silk, spices and opiates. With the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Empire made the land route and the route via the Red Sea respectively, extremely difficult for the Europeans.
It was then that the Portuguese sailors began sailing around Africa to reach Asia. This was an eastward route.
What Columbus proposed was a westward route to reach Asia.
He calculated the distance based on Marinus of Tyre and judged the circumference of the Earth to be approximately 25,000 kilometers. Experts, however, did not agree with him. Based on the calculations of Eratosthenes, the circumference of the Earth was held to be 40,000 kilometers and thus any distance westward would be too long. Most ships of the day would therefore be unable to carry the necessary supplies of fresh water and food for that long a distance.
13 years ago
0 comments:
Post a Comment