Pedro de Covilhao on his way from India had descended the east coast of Africa as far as the twentieth degree of south latitude, and had become cognizant of the old Arabic-Indian commercial association. Bartolomeu Dias had proceeded as far as the Great Fish River (Rio do Infante), and had in addition established the fact that the coast of Africa on the other side of the Cape extended to the northeast. After the return of Bartolomeu Dias, Estevao was chosen by Joao II to command the next expedition of discovery, but, as both died before the project could be carried into execution, the commission was given by Emanuel I to Vasco, who had already distinguished himself at the beginning of the year 1490 by defending the Portuguese colonies on the coast of Guinea against French encroachments. His father, Estevao da Gama, was Alcaide Mor of Sines, and Commendador of Cereal, and held an important office at court under Alfonso V.
at Sines, Province of Alemtejo, Portugal, about 1469 d. Gama, VASCO DA, the discoverer of the sea route to the East Indies b.
0 kommentar(er)
