In the century between 1450 and 1550,mans horizons were pushed back with astounding speed, Europe suddenly became conscious of the world, and out of the ferment of new ideas arose great men and enterprises to mark that epoch as a major one of human history. The event that served as climax to this conquest of the earth was the first circumnavigation of the earth in the years 1519-1522. Magellan's predecessors had been groping step by fearful step into the unknown-his bold voyage reached the limits of exploration and those who followed perforce contented themselves with filling in the details.