Ferdinand Magellan

MedievalExplorerPortugal1480 — 1521

葡萄牙航海家。率领船队完成人类首次环球航行，证明了地球是圆的。

Compare Ferdinand Magellan with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

1480

Died

1521

Country

Portugal

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Explorer

Score Overview

Military (10%)15

Political (20%)35

Influence (20%)59

Legacy (20%)54

Leadership (15%)37

Strategy (15%)55

Total Score46.0

Ferdinand Magellan — Complete Timeline

1520 AD

Discovery of the Strait of MagellanOther

Magellan's fleet discovered a navigable passage at the southern tip of South America, now named the Strait of Magellan. The passage connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling the first European crossing of the Pacific.

ExplorationNavigationDiscovery

Impact: global

Crossing of the Pacific OceanOther◆ Major

After entering the Pacific, Magellan's fleet sailed for 98 days without sighting land, covering over 12,000 miles. The crew suffered severe scurvy and starvation, but the crossing proved the vastness of the Pacific and the feasibility of westward navigation to Asia.

ExplorationNavigationHardship

Impact: globaltragic

1521 AD

Battle of MactanWar◆ Major

Magellan intervened in a local conflict on the island of Mactan in the Philippines. He led a small force against the warriors of Lapu-Lapu and was killed in the battle. His death ended his personal command of the circumnavigation expedition.

BattleDeathExploration

Impact: regionaltragic

1522 AD

Completion of the First CircumnavigationOther

The Victoria, commanded by Juan Sebasti

ExplorationNavigationAchievement

Impact: globalconstructive