The Beneficiary

4 Pages 991 Words

History 182, “The Chronicles of the conquest of Guinea”

The Beneficiary
As most of the population of Earth has realized from observing astronauts and multiple probes sent to the far reaches of our universe, the safest, easiest, and most comfortable way to explore the unknown is to live vicariously through someone else’s adventures and explorations. Adopting that strategy earned Prince Henry "The Navigator" of Portugal not only fame but a long life as well; during the expansionary ages of Europe in the 15th century. Henry rarely left the comfort of the Iberian Peninsula, but rather had others take his stead in the face of danger and for the name of Portugal. One such adventurer and writer was Gomes Eannes de Azurara, who during the voyages of 1452-1453 chronicled the discovery and conquest of Guinea by request of King Alfonso V. Gomes Azurara was a close friend of Prince Henry, which was evident through the conscious emotions expressed through rationalizations of why he has agreed to put himself in harm’s way. It became evident, Gomes Azurara was not on an exploratory mission to carve trade routes or bring back gold and riches from the far reaches of western Africa, Gomes Azurara was on a religious pilgrimage to spread the word of Christianity to the “infidels” of Africa in hopes of converting them to Christianity. But Gomes Azurara is unsuspecting, the Portuguese had realized the worst qualities of mankind; the most highly developed culture was combined with the most primitive barbarity. The result was a people of unusual courage, ingenuity, and greed. The religion that Henry based his voyages on, and by how Gomes Azurara rationalized his journey, was the main tool that Henry intended to economically benefit Portugal only. However, at the culmination of his journey, Gomes Azurara observed that the greater benefit belonged not to the Portuguese adventurers but to the captive Africans.
“We imagine that w...