Bartolomeu Dias

Life

Bartolomeu Dias was born into a noble, wealthy Portuguese family. Dias' father was part of the Portuguese court. His family status allowed him to be well-educated in context of the time. Sources offer different dates that range from 1450 to 1457. Some sources also claim that Dias was a victim of the malaria outbreak in Tortuga, Portugal, in 1466. Dias was a Portuguese navigator and explorer who spent a large part of his life on expeditions to find lands unseen by Europeans. Most historians believe that Dias had a family that included explorers.

Voyages

In 1481, Dias commanded a voyage to the Gold Coast of Africa, sent by King John II of Portugal. Five years later, Dias was sent on a voyage to go around the coast of Africa and locate a sea route to Asia; his trip around the Cape of Good Hope (Cabo da Boa Esperanca) was the first time someone traveled around the cape of Africa. He led a fleet of three ships. One of those ships was a supply ship led by his brother, Pero Dias. The goal for this voyage was to make a friendly relationship with Prester John, the legendary Christian king of Ethiopia and to find a way to India in order to trade. King John II knew of Prester John through Marco Polo and Vasco de Gama. When Dias reached the Cape of Good Hope, it is to be believed he actually named it Cape of Storms but the Portuguese king changed it. During that voyage, Dias sailed past Angola and through present-day Walvis Bay and Elizabeth Bay. March 1488, the explorers chose to return home. In 1497, Dias went with Vasco de Gama on a voyage to India. He also participated in an exploration of Brazil in 1500. On May 29, 1500, Dias died in a storm off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope.

Above shows the routes of Dias' voyages. His third voyage, probably the most famous, shows his route around Africa.

Contributions

Dias found a sea route from Europe to Asia, which opened up trade opportunities between Europe and East Asia. The new trade route contributed to Europe's growing prosperity. His voyage around Africa led to their discovery of a multitude of wealth in ivory and gold. Ironically, the Cape of Good Hope was originally named the Cape of Storms, by Dias, and he perished in a storm off the coast of the cape. During Dias' travels, he made charts of his explorations. His work was rewarded by being made a member of the Royal Household of Portugal.

Group members

• Ashley
• Erin
• Kelsey

Sources

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 28, 2006, from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572862/Dias_Bartolomeu.html

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006, from http://www.allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/dias.html

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006, from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04775b.htm

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006, from http://www.answers.com/topic/bartolomeu-dias

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006, from http://www.esd.k12.ca.us/Matsumoto/TM30/history/Explorers/dias.html

Bartolomeu Dias (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 30, 2006, from http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/people/dias-b.htm

Bartolomeu Dias (aka Bartholomew Diaz) (n.d.). Retrieved Aug. 30, 2006, from http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/bartholomeu-dias.htm