Magellans Boten

The modern view on Magellan as the first man who sailed around the globe is a result of illuministic ideas that turned the Portuguese Spanish Conquistador into a hero of science. But in the autumn of the year 1522, shortly after the return of his flagship, Magellan, who had been killed during the voyage, has been seen in a critical light. This is mainly true for the first printed reports on Magellan’s voyage, all published in 1523 in Latin language. These texts criticize Magellan’s qualifications, speak of his problematic leadership and let his historical role fade away behind the national triumph of the first successful voyage around the globe.