The expeditions that Vasco commanded enabled Portugal to trade directly with India, and also with the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of Africa. Later expeditions proved as successful, and were met with little resistance from the natives. It proved to be a good decision for the king when Vasco successfully traded in India and brought back spices to Portugal. In 1497, the king gave Vasco four ships for the expedition. At that time, King Manuel of Portugal was intent on finding a sea route to India, and Vasco was a natural choice for the task because of his education and his father's close ties to the court. He grew up versed in the subject, and soon became a considerably proficient navigator. CareerĪs the son of the governor of Sines, Vasco was given more chances of fulfilling his ambitions to become an explorer there were many other young men of his era. Vasco's later accomplishments were seen by many to be comparable to the great discoveries of Christopher Columbus. Vasco, like his father, was a member of the Order of Santiago, whose titular head was King John II of Portugal. One legend says that he was once under the tutelage of the famous astrologer, Abraham Zacuto. Vasco's early education was spent in Evora, where he studied navigation and mathematics. His father, Estevao, was the Civil Governor of the port city of Sines, and had close ties to King John II. Vasco was born around 1460 in Sines, Portugal. Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer, soldier, ambassador and count.
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