Age of Exploration

Explorers

Marco Polo

  • Lifespan: 1254 - 1324 born in Venice, Italy. He was brought up in a merchant family, and traveled along the silk road with his father.

  • Discoveries: He found creatures that he thought were just in stories but were actually just species he hadn’t seen before, found new tribes and settlements, and a new form of currency (Paper money)

  • Impact of discoveries: He inspired many other popular explorers to start exploring or continue their journey for riches, fame, and thrill. He also kick started the “Age of Exploration”. One of the most famous parts of his journey was his time in China. There, he spent 17 years (25% of his life) exploring a kind of living he didn’t know was possible. Overall, he walked 4,000 miles on the Silk Road. Almost all of his stories were recorded and put into a book by order in which they happened

  • Famous Quote: “I did not tell half of what I saw, for I knew I wouldn’t be believed.”


Vasco da Gama

  • Lifespan: 1460 - 1524 born in Portugal

  • Reason for Exploring: He wanted to find a sea route to India for the spice trade

  • Discoveries: He did infact find a water route from Europe to India

Prince Henry the Navigator

  • Lifespan: 1394 - 1460 born in Portugal

  • Reason for Exploring: Expand Christianity and find trade routes / gold

  • Discoveries: Promoted early Portuguese voyages and navigation schools

Bartolomeu Dias

  • Lifespan: 1450 - 1500 born in Portugal

  • Reason for Exploring: Find a trade route around Africa to Asia

  • Discoveries: rounded the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope)

Christopher Columbus

  • Lifespan: 1451 - 1506 born in Spain

  • Reason for Exploring: Find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia

  • Discoveries: Reached the Americas (Caribbean Islands)

Francisco Coronado

  • Lifespan: 1510 - 1554 born in Spain

  • Reason for Exploring: Search for Mythical Seven Cities of Gold

  • Discoveries: Explored the American Southwest, discovered the Grand Canyon

Hernan Cortes

  • Lifespan: 1485 - 1547 born in Spain

  • Reason for Exploring: Claim land and wealth for Spain

  • Discoveries: Conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico