One voyage opened a sea route to Asia and ended Venice's spice monopoly

In 1498, Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sailing around Africa, opening a direct maritime spice trade that bypassed the overland routes controlled by Arab and Venetian middlemen. The voyage reshaped global trade for the next three centuries and launched Portugal's seaborne empire.

— Vasco da Gama, Vasco da Gama — voyage of 1497–1499