There have been many people who contributed to the discovery of different countries and found the easiest route. Before modern technology, people traveled by seeing the star, and then compasses were introduced. Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias found sea routes to different countries with contemporary technologies. It was like a miracle at that time and beneficial for trading.
Vasco Da Gama vs Bartolomeu Dias
The main difference between Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias is that Vasco da Gama was an explorer and the fifth European to find the sea route by traveling through it to India. On the other hand, Bartolomeu Dias was the first mariner to travel across the southern tip of Africa from Lisbon to Mosselbaai.
Vasco da Gama was an explorer from Portugal known to be the fifth European to discover the sea route to India. He was born in Sines, Portugal, and died in Kochi, India. Vasco da Gama had five children and he himself was the son of Estêvão da Gama. He was a great explorer of his time.
Bartolomeu Dias was the mariner who belonged to Portugal. He was born in Faro District, Portugal, and died in Cape Town, South Africa. He is known to be the first navigator and explorer of Europe who is widely famous for sailing around the southernmost African tip. Bartolomeu Dias had two children and two siblings.
Comparison Table Between Vasco Da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias
What is Vasco Da Gama?
Vasco da Gama’s nationality was Portuguese, and he was born during the monarchy of John III in 1469. His father’s name was Estêvão da Gama, while his mother’s name was Isabel Sodré. He was an explorer by occupation and later became the Viceroy of India.
He traveled from the Cape of Good Hope to Asia, and his voyage route became the vital link between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. In sea-based global multiculturalism, this route used known as one of the most challenging obstacles. From the point of view of Portugal, this route proved to be very lucrative since it became convenient for the Portuguese empire to establish colonial rule in certain parts of Asia.
Vasco da Gama was the son of a provincial nobleman of Portugal who was also a commander at the coast of Alentejo. The first voyage of Vasco da Gama was started from Lisbon, and his fleet included four vessels. This fleet of Vasco da Gama was known as São Rafael.
This wasn’t the only voyage commanded by Vasco da Gama. When he started his journey to India, he spent two years away from his motherland. Vasco da Gama lived in the sea for 300 days and lost one of his brothers to a disease called scurvy.
What is Bartolomeu Dias?
Bartolomeu Dias was born in the kingdom of Portugal in 1450. His name was also written as Bartholomew Diaz due adversity in languages, while his full name was Bartolomeu Dias de Novais. They’re very little information is available about the early life of Bartolomeu Dias. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that there is nothing public about his early life.
The contribution of Bartolomeu Dias was to open a sea route from Lisbon to Asia via Indiana and the Atlantic Ocean. He was the first European to accomplish this task. In the 15th century, Bartolomeu Dias was known to be one of the best explorers of the Atlantic Ocean among other pioneers. In the 1450s, the pre-existing sea route to connect Portugal was blocked by the conquest of the Ottoman Empire.
Portugal had a very robust and long-established trade alliance with the Asian countries. The discovery of a new route by Bartolomeu Dias made it possible for Portugal and other European countries to continue their partnerships with Asian countries. This is why this particular route has such a reputation in history.
He was a commissary at the court of King John II. He was appointed as a head expedition in sea discovery by King João II. The entire voyage experience of Bartolomeu Dias is recorded in the documentation. Such document has some pieces of his voyage experience.
Main Differences Between Vasco Da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias
- The cause of Vasco da Gama’s death was malaria, while he died on Christmas Eve. On the other hand, Bartolomeu Dias was killed by drowning.
- Vasco da Gama had five siblings, excluding himself. On the other hand, Bartolomeu Dias had two siblings, Diogo Dias and Pêro Dias.
- Vasco da Gama had more children. The number of his children is eight. On the other hand, Bartolomeu Dias had only two children.
- Vasco da Gama had wealthy parents, and he managed to study at the university Evora. On the other hand, Bartolomeu Dias studies multiple relative subjects to become an expert sailor.
- Vasco da Gama married a lady with an excellent background, and her name was Caterina de Ataíde. On the other hand, there is no information available about the wife of Bartolomeu Dias.
Conclusion
In ancient times, technology was not so developed that it could help people travel. They studied the position of stars, moon, and sun to find the right direction. It was a big deal to find a route by sea to another nation because it facilitated transportation.
The process of import and export became easier. Several names emerge when looking at the history of sea routes. Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias are one of them. They put their lives online and explore the trail.
In modern times, traveling has become very convenient. With the help of satellites, it is not that hard to find a way to any corner of the earth.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=8wqMWl6sSwwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Vasco+da+Gama&ots=c3RYqq_-Dk&sig=Z16xbUiFA1e_0NSC3dPVgVEYLsw
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03736245.1939.10559194