The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 33, 1519-1522 / Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

42884

Title

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 33, 1519-1522 / Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, this volume presents Antonio Pigafetta's eyewitness account of Ferdinand Magellan's first circumnavigation of the globe (1519–1522). Offering invaluable insights into the political, economic, and religious conditions of the Philippine Islands and the Pacific, the text details encounters with diverse peoples, the discovery of the Strait of Magellan, and the tragic death of Magellan at Mactan. Written in both original Italian and English translation, this primary source remains essential for understanding early...

Summary up to 500 words

Volume 33 of *The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898* presents the definitive account of Ferdinand Magellan's historic circumnavigation, as recorded by Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian scholar and participant in the expedition. Pigafetta joined the fleet at Seville in August 1519, embarking on a perilous journey that took the five ships south along the African coast, across the equator, and into the treacherous Strait of Magellan in October 1520. After enduring a grueling winter at the Bay of St. Julian and suppressing a mutiny led by Juan de Cartagena, the fleet entered the vast, trackless Pacific Ocean. The narrative vividly details the horrors of famine and scurvy that plagued the crews for months, as well as the discovery of the 'Unfortunate Isles,' barren lands offering no sustenance. The expedition's fortunes shifted upon reaching the Ladrones (the Philippines) in March 1521. Pigafetta provides rich descriptions of amicable relations with the Visayans at Limasaua and Mactan, highlighting cultural exchanges and the introduction of Christianity. However, the voyage turned tragic with the death of Magellan during the battle against Lapulapu at Mactan. Following a conspiracy among the remaining leaders, the survivors continued their arduous journey, visiting Borneo and the Moluccas before finally returning to Tidore in November 1521, completing the first circumnavigation of the globe in over two years. Beyond the narrative of exploration, the volume serves as a comprehensive historical record. It includes detailed descriptions of local customs, vocabularies, and charts illustrating the geography of the archipelago. The text captures the political, economic, and religious conditions of the islands during their earliest contact with European nations. Pigafetta's account is particularly valued for its eyewitness perspective on the peoples encountered, their languages, and the complex interactions between the explorers and the indigenous populations. This document stands as a primary source for understanding the dawn of the Philippines' history and the broader context of early global exploration.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• History
• Travel
• Philippines