Christopher Columbus is widely considered one of the greatest explorers of all time. He was the first known European to reach the Caribbean and Central and South America, while his expeditions initiated an era of exploration and discoveries of the “New World”. With Columbus being an important and well-known figure in history, it isn’t surprising that there have been plenty of myths and misconceptions attached to his name. Let’s check out some of them that people still believe today.
Christopher Columbus Discovered America
This is one of the biggest myths tied to Christopher Columbus. Many people believe he was the first explorer to discover America, but historical evidence shows that the Vikings actually did that well before him. Also, he never actually touched the ground of North America.
Christopher Columbus Wanted to Prove Earth is Round
Christopher Columbus never set on his voyages to prove the Earth is round. Even in his time, this was a commonly accepted fact. What he wanted to do was to find a new sea route to India.
Christopher Columbus Was Italian
You’ll often find mentions of Christopher Columbus as an Italian. But this is actually quite wrong because Italy was only formed in the 19th century. Columbus was born in the Republic of Genoa, which was an independent republic for centuries before it became part of Italy.
Christopher Columbus Was a Successful Businessman
Christopher Columbus was a great explorer and navigator, but business wasn’t his strong side. He made quite a lot of management mistakes in setting up colonies, and his trade efforts never reached the levels he wanted. Still, he proved skillful in raising funds for his voyages.