Publisher's Synopsis
Aristotle proved that the world was round, pointing out during an eclipse that the earth cast a spherical shadow on the moon. Plato popularized the idea and the new and growing schools of Science and Philosophy of the times promoted this concept. Therefore, a full nine centuries before 1492, it became generally conceded by the majority of the educated populace that our earth was not a flat place. Consider the historical flavor of the old world. It was the age of adventure on the high seas. Harbors were crowded with newly built and fitted ships, all aimed and directed with enthusiasm and readiness to "find" new worlds. Unknown seas were beckoning to adventurers to be explored. Tremendous profit was also an added enticement. The shores of most civilized countries rebounded and echoed with tales of cities of Gold, and strange races of men. Arabians had already improved the construction of ships, and shipbuilding became a tool of the century. Slavery was also becoming profitable as well as fashionable in the new world. High seas adventures spawned pirates, privateers and politicians. Myriads of sea voyages were captained by heroic worthy seafarers too numerous to mention. Captains were numberless, and only a few were marked in place for history. It was a time of historical confusion for the masses, and many brave souls vied and died for their reputations as heroes. In a political move to uncomplicate historical confusion for the masses, one hero, one name, was chosen from many: Christopher Columbus.
