The Complicated Origins Of Christopher Columbus: Exploring His Nationality And Identity

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from the Spanish port of Palos. The explorer, in command of three ships, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, hoped to find a sea route to the fabled riches of Asia. This voyage, along with three subsequent ones, was funded by Spain, whose monarchs hoped Columbus’ success would elevate their status in Europe.

Spain's involvement in Columbus' expeditions has led many to believe that he was of Spanish origin. However, people of Italian descent, particularly Italian-Americans, have passionately claimed Columbus as their own, despite the controversies surrounding his treatment of Indigenous populations upon his arrival in the "New World."

Determining Columbus' true origins is complicated, with various theories linking him to different regions, countries, and even religions. More than 500 years after his voyages, questions about his identity remain unanswered.

Italian Heritage: The Belief That Columbus Was Italian

Many believe that Columbus was born Cristoforo Colombo around 1451 in the region of Liguria, modern-day Northwest Italy. At the time, Liguria's capital was Genoa, a wealthy and influential city-state. Columbus is thought to be the son of Domenico Colombo, a wool merchant, and Susanna Fontanarossa.

Genoa had strong trading ties with various regions, including several Spanish kingdoms. Columbus likely learned multiple languages during his youth. According to accounts from his son, Ferdinand, Columbus left Genoa as a teenager, joining the Portuguese merchant marines and gaining valuable seafaring experience on exploratory voyages to places like Ireland and West Africa.

After marrying a woman from a noble but poor Portuguese family, Columbus sought support from the Portuguese court for his planned expedition. When they denied him, he moved to Spain in 1485. His years of lobbying the Spanish monarchs finally bore fruit in 1492 when they agreed to fund his groundbreaking voyage.

Conflicting Evidence About His Italian Roots

Supporters of the Italian origin theory point to Columbus' writings from later in his life, including his will, where he claimed to be from Genoa. However, contemporary accounts are scarce, and Genoese ambassadors in Spain did not claim him as one of their own in their correspondence. Unlike other explorers, official documents from the Spanish government do not refer to Columbus as a foreigner.

Interestingly, Ferdinand Columbus mentioned that his father may have wanted to obscure his true origins for unknown reasons. However, many historians argue that documents and letters produced shortly after Columbus' death indicate he was indeed from Genoa, which could serve as proof of his Italian heritage.

Portuguese Connections: The Argument for Columbus Being Portuguese

Columbus' significant ties to Portugal have led some historians to argue that he was born there instead of Genoa. Some suggest that his marriage into a noble Portuguese family would have been improbable if he were an unknown foreigner. In 2012, Fernando Branco, a professor at the University of Lisbon, proposed that Columbus was actually Portuguese and his real name was Pedro Ataíde.

Ataíde, believed to be the illegitimate son of a Portuguese lord, was thought to have died in a naval battle in 1476. However, Branco and other historians believe he survived, changed his name to Culon to escape persecution, and started a new life under a different identity.

In early 2018, researchers began testing this theory by using authenticated DNA from Columbus' son, Fernando, in hopes of finding a genetic match with DNA from Ataíde’s cousin, a Portuguese count.

Spanish Identity: The View That Columbus Was Spanish

Some supporters of the theory that Columbus was Spanish gained momentum in recent years. In 2009, Georgetown University professor Estelle Irizarry published a book claiming that Columbus was born in the kingdom of Aragon, Northern Spain, and primarily spoke Castilian. Notably, there are no existing documents where Columbus used Ligurian, the common language of Genoa.

If he was indeed Spanish, why would Columbus go to such lengths to disguise his identity? Irizarry and other historians suggest that Columbus might have been Jewish. Linguistic traits found in his writings suggest he learned Ladino, a language commonly used by Spain’s Sephardic Jewish community.

The evidence for this theory includes a Hebrew blessing found in most of Columbus’ letters to his son Diego, which did not appear in correspondence with anyone outside his family. They also cite Columbus’ connections to wealthy Sephardic businessmen who funded his expeditions and his signature, which resembled inscriptions found on Sephardic gravestones.

Theories Beyond Italy, Portugal, and Spain

While the evidence linking Columbus to Genoa, Spain, and Portugal appears credible, some theories seem far-fetched. Some claim he was the son of a Polish king, who survived a supposed death and fled to Madeira, where Columbus was secretly born. Others believe he was born in Genoa as the son of a Scottish family and originally named Pedro Scotto, changing his name to Columbus after working for a pirate.

These theories highlight the ongoing debate about Columbus' origins, illustrating how complex and multifaceted history can be. As more research continues to emerge, the truth about Columbus’ identity may become clearer, but for now, he remains a figure shrouded in mystery and speculation.

In a world where identity and heritage are often points of pride or contention, the story of Christopher Columbus serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate tapestry of human history and the many factors that shape our understanding of those who came before us.