Name: CARIO, PATRICK JOHN C.

Section and Schedule: BSCE 1B TTH 2:30 – 4:00 PM

Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources
FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD BY ANTONIO PIGAFETTA
Primary Account Discussions
Background of the Author  Antonio Pigafetta, also known as Antonio
Lombardo was born around the year 1491, in
Vicenza, Italy.
 He was born in a wealthy family and was the
eldest son of Giovanni Pigafetta and Angela
Zoga.
 He was an Italian scholar and explorer
 He also studied astronomy, geography, and
cartography in his youth.
 He took part in the expedition to the Spice
Islands led by Ferdinand Magellan.
 Pigafetta was one of the 18 people in
Magellan’s original crew who completed the
world’s first circumnavigation and returned
to Spain.
 The journal he kept during the voyage served
as a primary source for Magellan’s
expedition.
 Died in 1534 in Vicenza, Italy
Historical Background of  Spices were considered high demand and a
the Document very profitable commodity among Europeans
due to their multiple uses, including food
preservation, flavor enhancement, and
medicine.
 Commerce intensified the rivalry between
Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula,
since both were eager in discovering and
growing trade.
 Both were in perfect locations to begin
exploring Africa and planning on going
around Africa to reach the Spice Islands in
Asia.
 The rivalry between Spain and Portugal
became so intense that the two governments
had to ask the Pope to divide the New World
into parts that would be Portuguese.
 After his plan was rejected by Portugal, the
Spaniards supported Magellan’s plan to
travel to the East via a westward route in
pursuit of spices.
 The expedition experienced challenges along
 the way; out of the five boats that was
provided by King Charles V that left Spain,
only three reached the Philippines.
 Magellan faced his death when the Spaniards
were defeated at the Battle of Mactan.
However, his expedition was significant in
introducing Christianity to the Philippines.
 Magellan’s survivors were able to reach the
Spice Island with onlytwo ships.
 The Victoria was the only ship left after the
voyage, and of the two hundred and seventy
men who started the mission, only eighteen
survived to reach Spain, including Antonio
Pigafetta, who kept a journal about the
expedition.
 Pigafetta’s journal became our primary
source of knowledge regarding the Spanish-
Filipino encounter as well as the world's first
circumnavigation.
 His original journal has been lost, and it is
unknown what language he wrote it in.
 Three of them were written in French, two
versions are at the Bibliothèque Nationale in
Paris.
 The third edition was previously owned by
Thomas Philipp, a Britishcollector.
Content and Contextual CONTENT
Analysis of the Important  Social and cultural importance
Historical Information Pigafetta's comprehensive description of the
Found in the Document Visayans' morphology, demeanor, and customs
mirrors the early years of our ancestors from that
region. During this voyage, Magellan also brought
Christianity to our ancestors, which I think was their
greatest contribution to our nation.

Every island in the Philippines had a monarchy

during the pre-colonial era, especially in the
Visayas, which was a form of government run by a
royal family or dynasty. The book states that a king
or chief, known as a raia or raja, presided over each
island. As described in the accounts of their
interactions with Magellan and his crew, some of the
kings are escorted by men.

Contribution and Relevance  Because Pigafetta's narrative included

of the Document to important information on the Visayan Islands
Philippine History and their inhabitants, it improved Philippine
historiography. Pigafetta's journal contained
a variety of accounts of the Filipinos'
responses to the Spaniards, including their
demeanor, customs, and way of life. For the
Filipino people to have a greater
understanding of our history and culture, this
account—written by someone who saw and
experienced the events firsthand—is a
reliable source. This text is an important
primary source for us, especially when it
comes to the events of the Magellan
expedition, the start of the Battle of Mactan,
and the impacts these events had on our
ancestors that continue to be felt now,
especially with regard to the predominant
Christian religion practiced by the majority
of Filipinos. Local textbook authors use this
document as a source of historical
knowledge regarding the beginnings of
Christianity in the Philippines.