Bartolomeu Dias was the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa. Because of this he opened up a trade sea route from Europe to Asia. João II, king of Portugal, had appointed Dias to head an expedition in search of a sea route to India. If not for the king, Dias may never have been known as the first mariner to discover this route. The tip of Africa, the one he passed during his travels, was called the Cape of Good Hope. During the expedition of Vasco da Llama, Dias was serving as a shipbuilding consultant. When they were out at the Cape of Good Hope, four out of the 13 ships they had were wrecked in storms, with Dias being on one of the ships. He was lost at sea, and he probably died by drowning.
|
Bartolomeu DiasArchives |