1. The Maritime Beginnings
At 14, Columbus started working on merchant ships, sailing to the Aegean Sea and possibly Iceland. These early voyages honed his navigational skills and introduced him to maritime trade, preparing him for his later explorations. His experiences at sea gave him the expertise needed for future endeavors. The unpredictability and vastness of the sea fueled his determination to find new routes, pushing him to explore beyond the known world. These formative years equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the challenges that he would later face during his transatlantic voyages.
2. Columbus’s Inspiration
Marco Polo’s travels deeply inspired Columbus. He carried a copy of Polo’s book during his voyages and annotated it extensively, using these accounts while planning his own expeditions. Columbus envisioned a direct maritime route to the fabled riches of Asia, motivated by Polo’s descriptions of vast wealth and exotic lands. The tales of Polo ignited Columbus’s imagination and ambition, driving him to pursue a westward route to Asia. His fascination with Polo’s travels was evident in his meticulous study and interpretation of the book, which he used as a reference and guide throughout his journeys. This influence shaped Columbus’s vision and aspirations.
3. Blood Ties On The High Seas
His younger brother, Bartholomew, secured support for Christopher’s expeditions. A cartographer and navigator, Bartholomew helped plan the voyages and managed logistics. He also established and governed the settlement of Santo Domingo in Hispaniola. Their teamwork and familial support were essential to Columbus’s achievements. Bartholomew’s involvement extended beyond logistics; he played a significant role in securing financial backing and political support from European courts. His expertise in cartography and navigation complemented Columbus’s skills, making their partnership highly effective. Together, they overcame numerous challenges and obstacles.
4. Tongues Of The World
Columbus’s fluency in Genoese, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish proved invaluable in his negotiations with European courts for funding. His linguistic skills also helped him understand maritime charts and texts from different cultures. This ability allowed him to secure the necessary backing for his ambitious plans. Columbus’s multilingualism facilitated communication with various European monarchs and noblemen and enabled him to study and interpret a wide range of navigational and geographical documents. This broadened his knowledge and enhanced his ability to plan and execute his voyages effectively. His language skills were a crucial asset and contributed to his success as an explorer and navigator.
5. Columbus’s Marital Ties
In 1479, Columbus married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, a noblewoman from a well-connected Portuguese family. This marriage provided Columbus with valuable connections and access to navigational charts and maps. Filipa’s father, Bartolomeu Perestrelo, had governed Porto Santo in Madeira, an island known for its strategic importance in Atlantic navigation. After Filipa’s death, Columbus had a short-term relationship with Beatriz Enríquez de Arana, the mother of his second son, Ferdinand.
These relationships surely influenced his professional endeavors. Filipa’s family connections and the resources they provided were instrumental in advancing Columbus’s plans and ambitions. His relationship with Beatriz also offered him companionship and support during his later years.
6. The Mystery of Columbus’s Death
Columbus died on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain, possibly from severe arthritis or Reiter’s syndrome. Despite his health issues, he continued to plan further voyages until his final days. His death ended a tumultuous life filled with both triumphs and controversies. The exact cause of his death remains unclear, adding an element of mystery to his final days. Columbus’s relentless spirit and determination showed in his continued efforts to explore and discover new lands, even as his health deteriorated.
7. The Restless Remains
Initially, Columbus was buried in Valladolid, Spain, but his remains did not rest there for long. In 1509, his body was moved to the Monastery of La Cartuja in Seville. From there, in 1542, they were transported to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, following the wishes of his son Diego, who desired to honor his father’s legacy in the New World.
In 1795, when France took control of Hispaniola, Spanish authorities decided to move Columbus’s remains to Havana, Cuba, to protect them. His body remained in Havana until 1898, when Spain lost Cuba after the Spanish-American War. Consequently, his remains were transferred back to Seville Cathedral in Spain, where they rest today in an ornate tomb designed by the sculptor Arturo Mélida.
However, in 1877, workers at the Santo Domingo Cathedral discovered a lead box with an inscription identifying it as Columbus’s remains. This discovery led to claims that Spain had moved the wrong body in 1795, and that Columbus’s true remains never left the Dominican Republic.
To add to the mystery, DNA testing conducted on the remains in Seville and those in Santo Domingo has yet to provide conclusive evidence. The Dominican authorities have been reluctant to allow extensive testing on their remains, but the samples tested from Seville matched the DNA of Columbus’s brother, Diego.
8. Columbus’s Religious Zeal
Columbus viewed his voyages as a divine mission to spread Christianity. He often wrote about his belief that he was fulfilling biblical prophecies and claimed that his discoveries would lead to the recovery of Jerusalem from Muslim control. His writings revealed a man driven by a sense of destiny. Columbus’s deep religious fervor influenced his interactions with European monarchs and indigenous peoples alike. He believed that his explorations were part of a larger divine plan, and this conviction guided his actions and decisions.
9. Columbus’s Cryptic Signature
After his first voyage, Columbus adopted a unique and cryptic signature. Composed of letters and symbols, it was thought to be Greek and Latin abbreviations for “Christbearer.” The signature’s cryptic nature puzzled historians for centuries, leading to various interpretations and speculations. The unique signature symbolized his self-identity and the intricate blend of his religious and exploratory aspirations.
10. His Actual Name?
Born Cristoforo Colombo, his name evolved as he traversed various European courts. In Spain, he became Cristóbal Colón, aligning with the Spanish language and culture. The Latinized version, Christophorus Columbus, appeared in historical texts and documents, further complicating his identity. In Portugal, he was known as Cristóvão Colombo, which derived from the Portuguese influence on his early maritime career. Additionally, in his own writings, he sometimes signed his name as Xpoual de Colon, a curious blend of Greek and Latin, which further obscures his true identity.
