First Voyage Around The World by Magellan
Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian explorer who
accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on the first voyage
around the world in 1519–1522. He kept a detailed journal
of the voyage, and his account is one of the few surviving
primary sources about the voyage.
The first voyage around the world was led by the Spanish explorer, Ferdinand
Magellan and his co-commander, Antonio Pigafetta. Magellan was born in Portugal
and had a long trading career in the Portuguese navy. He became a Spanish citizen in
1519 and was commissioned by the Spanish king, Charles I, to lead a voyage to the
Spice Islands in the East Indies.Magellan’s expedition left Spain in September of 1519
with five ships. On the way, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and rounded the tip of
South America. After a difficult journey, Magellan and his crew arrived in the
Philippines in 1521. On the way back to Spain, Magellan was killed in a battle with the
natives, but his crew continued the voyage. Antonio Pigafetta, who was Magellan's co-
commander, kept a journal of the voyage and his observations.
This primary source is an account of the first voyage
around the world, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan. It was written by Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian
traveler who accompanied Magellan on the voyage.
Pigafetta’s account provides an intimate view of the
journey, describing the daily life aboard the ships,
Magellan’s interactions with the native peoples, and the
events that took place along the way. The primary source
also offers insight into Magellan’s leadership style and the
obstacles that the crew faced in completing the historic
voyage.
1.The historical context around the time of Magellan’s
voyage was a period of intense exploration and discovery.
Magellan’s voyage around the world was the first of its
kind, and it was a significant feat for the time.
2. Personal Motivation: Magellan likely had his own
personal motivations for undertaking the voyage, such as
a desire for fame and exploration.
3. Political Motives: Magellan was also likely motivated by
political motives, such as a desire to extend the reach of
the Spanish Empire and to secure resources and trade
routes for the Spanish Crown.
4. Financial Incentives: Magellan was likely motivated by
financial incentives, such as the promise of a share in the
profits of the voyage and a pension for his family upon his
return.
5. Curiosity: Magellan may also have been motivated by a
simple curiosity to explore the unknown and to make new
discoveries.
The first voyage around the world by Magellan-Antonio
Pigafetta was a major event in Philippine history. The
expedition, which lasted from 1519 to 1522, marked the
first circumnavigation of the globe by a European. It also
marked the first contact between the Spanish and the
inhabitants of the Philippines, bringing about centuries of
Spanish colonial rule in the archipelago. The expedition
also opened the Philippines to trade with Europe, leading
to the eventual establishment of the Manila galleon trade
route. Pigafetta's chronicles of the voyage are also an
important source of information about the peoples,
places, and cultures of the Philippines encountered by the
expedition.
The author's main argument in The First Voyage Around the
World by Magellan-Antonio Pigafetta is that Magellan's
voyage was a pivotal moment in world history and that the
expedition was a great success despite the many dangers and
hardships faced by the crew. Pigafetta not only provides a
detailed account of the voyage, but also emphasizes the
significance of the achievement, noting that Magellan and his
crew were the first to circumnavigate the globe and proving
the correctness of their assumptions about the shape of the
Earth. Pigafetta also highlights the courage and
determination of the crew, as well as the importance of the
technology and knowledge they acquired, which allowed them
to complete such a remarkable feat.
I think the first voyage around the world by Magellan-Antonio
Pigafetta was an incredible feat of exploration and bravery. It
was an amazing accomplishment to be the first to
circumnavigate the globe and to do so with so little
knowledge of the area they were navigating. The courage and
determination of Magellan and Pigafetta to press on despite
facing incredible odds and so many unknowns is something to
be admired and respected. They truly paved the way for
future generations of explorers and adventurers.
Kiram Jasmine A. BSSW-1C
