Isabella:    At last we can feel safe on our thrones. We have driven the Muslims out of Granada, and we are in firm control!

Ferdinand:    Call Columbus and the scholars in. After our great victories, I don’t mind listening to the eccentric ideas of our scientists.

Ferdinand and Isabella sit down on their thrones. Chancellor Santangel signals to an attendant, who exits and returns with Columbus. Columbus approaches the two thrones and bows.

Columbus:    Your Majesties!

Ferdinand:    Captain Columbus, you may listen to the report of the scholars of the University of Salamanca with us. We hear they have at long last completed the examination of your plan.

Isabella:    Christopher Columbus, are you still convinced of your plan to go westwards to China and India?

Columbus:    Yes indeed, Your Majesty!

Santangel:     Call the scholars in!

An attendant fetches the scholars. The scholars have attendants who carry a globe, a disk and model boats.

Scholars:    Your Majesties!

Santangel:    Please present your report.

First scholar:    We have not been able to agree on an answer.

Santangel:    This is very unsatisfactory. You have been investigating Captain (angrily)         Columbus’ plan for three years now.

Second scholar:    And after three years, we still hold three different opinions on the plan.

Ferdinand:    Then present these three opinions without delay.  
(impatiently)

First Scholar:    Observe this globe. Columbus’ plan could only succeed if the earth were a sphere, for only then could you sail westwards to Asia. But the earth cannot be round as anyone can see. If this were the case, then everything at the bottom of the earth would fall off.

The scholar demonstrates this with a paper boat that he holds against the underside of a globe, and then lets go. The paper boat falls to the floor and the scholar treads on it. Those present react in agreement or irritable disagreement.

Third scholar:    I tend to agree with Columbus. Already the Ancient Greeks proved that the earth is a sphere. My calculations of the circumference of the earth are not so very different to those of Columbus. Furthermore, sailors who have voyaged far to the west have reported seeing leafy branches or bits of plants floating in the sea. This indicates islands on the way to Asia. I believe that Columbus will be able to reach China and India safely by travelling west.

Ferdinand:    That’s two against one. The majority is against the plan, Columbus.

Columbus:    But the dangers are exaggerated! Our caravels are very swift. And I know the area of the ocean where a favourable wind almost always blows.

Ferdinand:    A leafy branch floating on the sea is a very slight sign for so very great a risk.

Columbus:          Your Majesty, the first weak rays of the rising sun seem to (enthusiastically)   be a very slight sign – until they are followed by the glories                            of a wonderfully bright day!

Isabella:    Christopher Columbus, I am tempted to believe in you. But our treasury is exhausted. All has been spent on the war with Granada, and driving out the Muslims.

Columbus:    When I return from India you will have enough gold to recapture the Holy Lands from the Muslims once and for all.

Isabella:    This is a dream, Columbus.

Columbus:    It is God’s will!

Ferdinand:    Enough! You have heard my Queen. Captain Columbus we cannot equip you with ships or men. Farewell!

Santangel directs Columbus to the exit. There is some whispering between them. Columbus remains on stage, but hidden.

Isabella:    Come here Chancellor Santangel. Did we make the right decision?

Santangel:    Of course, Your Majesty. But perhaps I may suggest an idea.

Isabella:    Speak!

Santangel:    I myself will finance Captain Columbus’ voyage for you. If he is successful we will get a good return. If not, you need not pay me back.

Ferdinand:    That’s an interesting proposal. But explain yourself, Santangel. Why risk your money for such a dangerous enterprise? You are a most careful man.

Santangel:    I am a good Catholic. But you know of course that I am a converted Jew. I know Your Majesties’ plans to free Spain from all Jews. Perhaps Columbus will find an island to the west to which all Jews could emigrate.

Isabella:    I see. You may inform Christopher Columbus that he will receive three ships and the men he needs. If he cannot find enough volunteers, I will set some criminals free if they agree to sail with him. However, Chancellor Santangel, only good Christians, or men converted to Christianity, may travel on this, or any future voyage in the name of Spain.

Columbus:        Thank you a thousand times, Your Majesty. I will not fail you! (re-entering and 
bowing dramatically)

The beginning of the Age of Discoveries is marked by an outstanding character of vital importance: Henry the Navigator (1394 – 1460), son of the King of Portugal. This prince was the first to initiate and sponsor the systematic exploration of the world by sailing the oceans. His motives for these activities were due more to political than academic reasons. The Arabs were still a threat to the realms of the Iberian Peninsula and thus for Portugal, so Henry intended to put pressure on the Arabs not only from Europe but also from the south. He aimed to contact the legendary Priest-King John, who was believed to rule a large Christian realm in East Africa (which was then believed to be part of India), and to win him as an ally. The entire southern and eastern Mediterranean was under Islamic rule, so it was not possible to contact the priest-king by land (although there had been several unsuccessful attempts to do so).
According to the geographical knowledge of those days, the ships had to sail south along the African coast to the estuary of the Niger (see fig. 2). This river was believed to have its source in Ethiopia and to flow from east to west into the Atlantic Ocean. The aim of the original voyages of discovery was therefore to reach the priest-king and India by ship. The successful realization of such voyages demanded that geographical knowledge be gathered and evaluated, navigational aids be developed, captains be trained to use them, and crews be recruited that were willing to take the risks of such an endeavour. It was furthermore of the utmost importance to develop ships suitable for such voyages.