1. Influence of Ptolemy’s Geographia:
- Claudius Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer and geographer who lived in the 2nd century AD, developed a geocentric model of the cosmos.
- Ptolemy’s work, “Geographia,” depicted the Earth as a spherical globe with Europe, Asia, and Africa occupying most of the northern hemisphere and a vast Oceanus, or ocean, surrounding the landmasses.
- Columbus accepted this model and believed that the spherical Earth was smaller in circumference than it actually is.
2. Misinterpretation of Marco Polo’s Travels:
- Marco Polo, a Venetian explorer who traveled to Asia during the 13th century, described his journeys in “The Travels of Marco Polo.”
- Columbus read Polo’s accounts and misinterpreted the distances and measurements mentioned in the book.
- Polo estimated the landmass of Asia to be much smaller than it actually was, and Columbus believed that by sailing westward, he could quickly reach the shores of Japan or China.
3. Influence of Portuguese Explorations:
- During the 15th century, Portuguese explorers had been consistently making progress along the African coast.
- They eventually reached Cape Verde, which lies far to the west, and explored the Azores, islands in the mid-Atlantic Ocean.
- Columbus believed that if Portuguese ships could sail so far west, it was possible to continue westward and reach Asia.
4. Legends and Myths:
- Columbus was also influenced by various popular legends and myths that circulated during his time.
- These included tales of a landmass to the west called “Antillia,” which Columbus interpreted as potentially being part of Asia.
It’s important to note that Columbus’s ideas and theories were products of his contemporary understanding of geography and scientific knowledge. Despite his misconceptions, his determination to find a western route to Asia eventually led to the discovery of the Americas, changing the course of history and human civilization.