A Portuguese nobleman, Ferdinand Magellan belonged to the romantic era of sea exploration characterized by Columbus and Vasco a Gama.
History books tell of his navigational prowess, ambition and courage in battle, describing his circumnavigation of the world as “the greatest”
single human achievement on the seas.
In 1519 Magellan, under Spanish patronage, led an expedition of five ships to seek a westward passage to the Moluccas Islands. He discovered the Strait of Magellan (at the southern tip of South America) and gave the name "Pacific" to the Pacific Ocean based on its supposed calmness.
In 1519 Magellan, under Spanish patronage, led an expedition of five ships to seek a westward passage to the Moluccas Islands. He discovered the Strait of Magellan (at the southern tip of South America) and gave the name "Pacific" to the Pacific Ocean based on its supposed calmness.
It was also a brutal three-year voyage that cost Magellan four ships 237 crew, and his own life. On route he killed several of his captains for mutiny and burned the villages of natives refusing to be Christianized.
His own down fall came in the Philippines while attacking a village that had failed to provide him with provisions.
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