c. 1465-1517

Italian adventurer, also known as Ludovico di Varthema, who made significant discoveries and observations as the first European to visit many areas of the Middle East and Asia. He traveled extensively from 1502-1507, visiting Egypt, Syria, the Arabian and Malay peninsulas, Aden, Yemen, Ceylon, Burma, and India. He risked his life as the first non-Muslim to visit the holy city of Mecca. He joined the Portuguese army in India and was knighted. The report of his travels was published in 1510.