Why did Columbus set sail in 1492?

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a.      to prove the earth was round

b.      to discover a sea route to the Spice Islands East Indies

c.      to spread the Gospel

d.      to acquire riches & power

If you answered "B, C, and D" you are correct. If you are like me though, you may remember from grade school being taught that Christopher Columbus also wanted to prove the earth was round. We were told that people back then thought you could "fall off the edge of the earth" if you sailed too far in any direction. However, the truth is that most educated Europeans during that time period already believed it was round. Columbus wanted to sail west to reach the East Indies. The disagreement centered not on the shape but rather on the size of the world. Although Eratosthenes (276-194 BC) had already fairly accurately calculated the Earth's circumference, Columbus (using different measurements) believed it was smaller.

Columbus finally found sponsorship for his expedition from Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand from Spain. He asked for and was granted three requests: