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From d'Ailly's Imago Mundi Columbus learned of Alfraganus's estimate that a degree of latitude (or a degree of longitude along the Equator) spanned 56⅔ miles, but did not realize that this was expressed in the Arabic mile (about 1,830 m) rather than the shorter Roman mile with which he was familiar (1,480 m).[29] He therefore estimated the circumference of the Earth to be about 30,200 km, whereas the correct value is 40,000 km (25,000 mi).
Furthermore, most scholars accepted Ptolemy's estimate that Eurasia spanned 180° longitude, rather than the actual 130° (to the Chinese mainland) or 150° (to Japan at the latitude of Spain). Columbus, for his part, believed the even higher estimate of Marinus of Tyre, which put the longitudinal span of the Eurasian landmass at 225°, leaving only 135° of water. He also believed that Japan (which he called "Cipangu", following Marco Polo) was much larger, further to the east from China ("Cathay"), and closer to the Equator than it is, and that there were inhabited islands even further to the east than Japan, including the mythical Antillia, which he thought might lie not much further to the west than the Azores. In this he was influenced by the ideas of Florentine physician Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli, who corresponded with Columbus before his death in 1482 and who also defended the feasibility of a westward route to Asia.[30]
Columbus therefore estimated the distance from the Canary Islands to Japan to be about 3,000 Italian miles (3,700 km, or 2,300 statute miles), while the correct figure is 19,600 km (12,200 mi)
Originally posted by Hanslune
The old world already knew the world was round. The Greeks had figured that out thousands of years before. Columbus sold the idea that the world was smaller than what was generally thought - he was wrong, however he thought that he'd find the indies and China about where he found the Americas, lucky bastard
A link on the flat earth myth
From d'Ailly's Imago Mundi Columbus learned of Alfraganus's estimate that a degree of latitude (or a degree of longitude along the Equator) spanned 56⅔ miles, but did not realize that this was expressed in the Arabic mile (about 1,830 m) rather than the shorter Roman mile with which he was familiar (1,480 m).[29] He therefore estimated the circumference of the Earth to be about 30,200 km, whereas the correct value is 40,000 km (25,000 mi).
Furthermore, most scholars accepted Ptolemy's estimate that Eurasia spanned 180° longitude, rather than the actual 130° (to the Chinese mainland) or 150° (to Japan at the latitude of Spain). Columbus, for his part, believed the even higher estimate of Marinus of Tyre, which put the longitudinal span of the Eurasian landmass at 225°, leaving only 135° of water. He also believed that Japan (which he called "Cipangu", following Marco Polo) was much larger, further to the east from China ("Cathay"), and closer to the Equator than it is, and that there were inhabited islands even further to the east than Japan, including the mythical Antillia, which he thought might lie not much further to the west than the Azores. In this he was influenced by the ideas of Florentine physician Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli, who corresponded with Columbus before his death in 1482 and who also defended the feasibility of a westward route to Asia.[30]
Columbus therefore estimated the distance from the Canary Islands to Japan to be about 3,000 Italian miles (3,700 km, or 2,300 statute miles), while the correct figure is 19,600 km (12,200 mi)
If the Spanish had thought it was 12,000 miles away they would never have agreed for the simple fact that ships of that time were not capable of that lenght of voyages, due to marine growth, water and food storage.edit on 13/3/12 by Hanslune because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by longjohnbritches
Come on now Hanslune,
By the way is that a Viking name?
Originally posted by Hanslune
Originally posted by longjohnbritches
Come on now Hanslune,
By the way is that a Viking name?
Danish first part, French second part
Didn't quite understand the point of your other sentences??
Originally posted by Hanslune
reply to post by Hanslune
So in the first flush of discovery what was the affect - the Portuguese pushed harder to get around Africa and did a few years later. This radically changed the aspect of power and also demonstrated that the Europeans could adapt their ships for long distance voyaging and return.
At the same time that the Europeans were arising, the Turks and Islam began or continued their long slide to ineffectualness, punctuated by the battle of Lepanto and the siege of Malta. While India was a melee of conflicting states and China had withdrawn from the game.
I wonder when and what effect the news of a 'new world' meant to the Chinese and Islamic world?
Originally posted by sdcigarpig
reply to post by longjohnbritches
Influenced, no, supress it, more than likely. Remember back then any public disagreement with the church was grounds for the inquisition being called and a person being brought before them. Those who were rich, got it a bit easy, those who were not, well lets just say it was not so pleasent.
Originally posted by longjohnbritches
Originally posted by Flavian
reply to post by longjohnbritches
Depends which old world country you were from. No fear of the inquisition in Britain or Holland at the time. Not even in most of France.
Originally posted by Hanslune
reply to post by Hanslune
At the same time that the Europeans were arising, the Turks and Islam began or continued their long slide to ineffectualness, punctuated by the battle of Lepanto and the siege of Malta. While India was a melee of conflicting states and China had withdrawn from the game.
I wonder when and what effect the news of a 'new world' meant to the Chinese and Islamic world?