Who first reached the southern tip of Africa?
explorer Bartolomeu Dias
In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500) became the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia.
Who reached the southern tip of the African continent?
Bartolomeu Dias
| Bartolomeu Dias | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Other names | Bartholomew Diaz |
| Occupation | Navigator and explorer |
| Known for | Being the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa |
What was the southern tip of Africa originally called?
Mariners have long considered the waters off Africa’s southern tip to be treacherous. After decades of failed attempts to navigate around the continent, Portuguese explorers took to calling one of its southerly promontories the Cape of Storms. (It was later renamed the Cape of Good Hope.)
Why was the southern tip of Africa called the Cape of Good Hope?
Bartholomew Diaz named the southern tip of Africa the “Cape of Storms” due to the storm he encountered there. King John II of Portugal renamed it the “Cape of Good Hope” because he believed sailing around it would provide a sea route to India and prosperity for him and his country.
What did John II of Portugal do in 1481?
After his official accession to the throne in 1481, John II took a series of measures to curtail the power of the Portuguese aristocracy and concentrate power in himself. As one of example of the measure he took, he deprived the nobles of their right to administer justice on their estates. Immediately, the nobles started to conspire.
Who was afraid of King John II of Portugal?
The nobles (including particularly his half second cousin Ferdinand II, the Duke of Braganza) were afraid of his future policies as king. After his official accession to the throne in 1481, John II took a series of measures to curtail the power of the Portuguese aristocracy and concentrate power in himself.
Why was John II of Portugal called The Perfect Prince?
The nickname the Perfect Prince is a posthumous appellation that is intended to refer to Niccolò Machiavelli ‘s work The Prince. John II is considered to have lived his life exactly according to the writer’s idea of a perfect prince.