Pedro Da Covilha [better]

By 1487, the Portuguese had already sent Diogo Cão to explore the Congo river, but the Indian Ocean remained a mystery. Maps were based on Ptolemy’s guesswork and Arab hearsay. João II needed a spy on the ground. He chose .

: In 1520, a Portuguese embassy finally found him; he was still a person of great influence in the Ethiopian court.

There are three main reasons for his obscurity:

Pêro da Covilhã (c. 1450 – c. 1530) was a Portuguese diplomat and explorer whose clandestine overland journey provided the critical intelligence needed for Portugal to successfully reach India by sea. 📍 Key Mission: The Secret Agent of John II

In May 1487, a remarkable event occurred in Santarém, Portugal. King João II personally handed letters and a coded map to two men: and Afonso de Paiva. Their mission was classified at the highest level. Officially, they were traveling to "the lands of the East." Unofficially, their orders were:

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Pedro Da Covilha [better]

By 1487, the Portuguese had already sent Diogo Cão to explore the Congo river, but the Indian Ocean remained a mystery. Maps were based on Ptolemy’s guesswork and Arab hearsay. João II needed a spy on the ground. He chose .

: In 1520, a Portuguese embassy finally found him; he was still a person of great influence in the Ethiopian court. pedro da covilha

There are three main reasons for his obscurity: By 1487, the Portuguese had already sent Diogo

Pêro da Covilhã (c. 1450 – c. 1530) was a Portuguese diplomat and explorer whose clandestine overland journey provided the critical intelligence needed for Portugal to successfully reach India by sea. 📍 Key Mission: The Secret Agent of John II He chose

In May 1487, a remarkable event occurred in Santarém, Portugal. King João II personally handed letters and a coded map to two men: and Afonso de Paiva. Their mission was classified at the highest level. Officially, they were traveling to "the lands of the East." Unofficially, their orders were:

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