The map of Bartolomeu Dias’s route traces a pivotal moment in European exploration: the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Dias’s expedition, commissioned by King John II of Portugal, aimed to find a sea route to India and the lucrative spice trade, bypassing the overland routes controlled by the Ottoman Empire and other powers.
The journey began in Lisbon, Portugal. The initial part of the map shows Dias’s ships sailing south along the western coast of Africa. He systematically followed the established routes used by previous Portuguese explorers, charting the coastline and establishing padrão (stone pillars bearing the Portuguese coat of arms) to claim territory for Portugal. These padrões served as navigational markers for future voyages and symbols of Portuguese sovereignty.
As the ships sailed further south, the map highlights the growing challenges. Accurate navigation was crucial, and Dias relied on rudimentary instruments like astrolabes and quadrants to determine latitude. Longitude, however, remained a significant problem, leading to inaccuracies in mapping. The map likely shows the meticulous recording of landmarks, currents, and prevailing winds, essential information for navigating the unpredictable Atlantic Ocean.
A critical turning point on the map occurs as Dias’s ships approached what is now known as the Namibian coast. Strong winds and treacherous currents pushed the expedition south, away from the coastline and into the open ocean. This marked a significant departure from previous exploration attempts that hugged the shore.
The map dramatically illustrates the most significant event: the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope. Driven further south and east by the storms, Dias eventually changed course, sailing northeast. Unbeknownst to him, he had rounded the Cape. He only realized this when he encountered Algoa Bay on the southeastern coast of Africa. The map shows him sailing considerably past the Cape before turning back westward.
The stretch of coastline explored beyond the Cape, towards Algoa Bay, is clearly marked. This section of the map showcases the exploration of a new, unknown coast. Dias and his crew interacted with local Khoikhoi people, although these encounters were sometimes fraught with misunderstandings and tensions.
As the crew was exhausted and supplies dwindling, Dias faced pressure to return to Portugal. The map depicts the difficult decision to turn back. Despite his desire to continue toward India, Dias ultimately agreed to return, leaving a padrão at Kwaaihoek, near the mouth of the Bushman’s River.
The return journey, as illustrated on the map, retraced the route along the African coast, with a crucial stop at the Cape. On this second pass, Dias finally sighted the Cape of Good Hope, initially calling it the “Cape of Storms” due to the perilous conditions encountered there. King John II later renamed it the Cape of Good Hope, recognizing its significance as a gateway to the East.
The final section of the map depicts the long voyage back to Lisbon. Dias arrived in December 1488, a year and four months after his departure. The map of his route is more than just a geographical record; it is a testament to the courage, skill, and determination of Dias and his crew, and a landmark achievement in the history of maritime exploration. The map signifies a turning point that paved the way for Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India a decade later, solidifying Portugal’s dominance in the spice trade and ushering in a new era of global interaction.
