Martin Behaim
Martin Behaim was born on the 6th of October 1459 in Nuremberg. He entered the world as the oldest son of Martin Behaim and Agnes Schopper. His father worked as a merchant involved in long-distance trade across Europe. The elder Martin even traveled to Venice for business. In 1461, his father won election as a senator of Nuremberg. This family status placed young Martin within a prominent and prosperous circle. He likely attended one of the best grammar schools available in the city. Later claims suggested he studied under Regiomontanus. That famous mathematician lived nearby when Behaim was a boy. No evidence exists that they ever taught or learned together. Historians now dismiss this connection as a later invention.
Behaim moved to Lisbon in 1484 seeking new trading opportunities. The city served as a hub for spices, slaves, and gold from Africa. He quickly found favor at the court of King John II. Some early biographers claimed he advised the king on navigation and astronomy. Modern research shows no record of significant contributions in these fields. Technologies like celestial navigation were already known by Portuguese mariners. He may have imported scientific instruments made in his native town. On the 18th of February 1485, King John II knighted him. The exact reasons for this honor remain unrecorded. He participated in a voyage to West Africa around 1485. It is unlikely he sailed with Diogo Cão on his second expedition. A more probable account places him on a trading voyage to Guinea led by João Afonso de Aveiro. He married Joana de Macedo in 1486 and resided on Faial island.
Georg Glockendon created the actual map drawings for the globe under Behaim's direction. This team of artisans constructed what became the oldest extant terrestrial globe. The sphere measured about 21 inches or 51 centimeters in diameter. Artisans fashioned it from papier-mache coated with gypsum. A wooden tripod supported the ball while iron hoops secured it. Glockendon painted map drawings onto parchment strips. They pasted these strips into position around the sphere. The finished object contained more than 2,000 place names. It featured 100 pictorial illustrations plus 48 banners and 15 coats of arms. Over 50 long legends described trade, explorations, and famous travelers like Marco Polo. Many notations dealt with fabulous monsters and their inhabitants. The townspeople called this completed globe the Erdapfel or earth apple. It originally housed itself within Nuremberg's city hall.
The world map depicted relied primarily on geography by Ptolemy. This second-century geographer provided the foundational framework. The design also combined information from Marco Polo and John Mandeville. Portuguese explorer Diogo Gomes contributed additional data to the mix. Behaim lacked current Portuguese geographic data available at the time. Numerous errors appeared that did not reflect contemporary understanding. These inaccuracies persisted despite his access to new knowledge. The globe represents an encyclopedia of Europe's knowledge in 1492. It stands as a snapshot before the discovery of the Americas. Later restorations corrupted many place-names and labels. An inexpert restoration occurred in 1823 followed by another in 1847. The German National Museum eventually took possession of the object.
Historian Johann Christoph Wagenseil claimed in 1682 that Behaim discovered America before Columbus. Other authors suggested he gave Columbus the idea of sailing west. No evidence exists that Behaim ever sailed west on a voyage of discovery. Although possible, neither Behaim nor Columbus referenced such a meeting. Claims that he taught celestial navigation are belied by existing documentation. He has been hailed as a great mathematician without scientific writings. Antonio Pigafetta alleged Magellan derived prior knowledge from a map made by Behaim. Historians now doubt Behaim had direct knowledge of such a passage. He may have depicted mysterious passages which Magellan interpreted differently. His dates do not match the timeline of Diogo Cão's voyages. Biographers left confused accounts of African voyages he made in 1485. Modern historians conclude these claims lack documentary evidence.
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Common questions
When and where was Martin Behaim born?
Martin Behaim was born on the 6th of October 1459 in Nuremberg. He entered the world as the oldest son of Martin Behaim and Agnes Schopper.
What is the significance of the Martin Behaim globe created in 1492?
The Martin Behaim globe represents an encyclopedia of Europe's knowledge in 1492 and stands as a snapshot before the discovery of the Americas. Georg Glockendon created the actual map drawings for the globe under Behaim's direction, making it the oldest extant terrestrial globe.
Did Martin Behaim discover America before Columbus?
No evidence exists that Martin Behaim ever sailed west on a voyage of discovery or discovered America before Columbus. Historian Johann Christoph Wagenseil claimed this in 1682 but modern historians conclude these claims lack documentary evidence.
How did King John II knight Martin Behaim?
On the 18th of February 1485, King John II knighted Martin Behaim. The exact reasons for this honor remain unrecorded despite early biographers claiming he advised the king on navigation and astronomy.
Where is the Martin Behaim globe located today?
The German National Museum eventually took possession of the object after earlier restorations corrupted many place-names and labels. It originally housed itself within Nuremberg's city hall when completed by artisans using papier-mache coated with gypsum.