Benedetto Zaccaria

Benedetto Zaccaria (born v. 1248 - died in 1307) was a navigator gênois Moyen-âge, which used its ships to make a profitable trade through the the Mediterranean, between the East and the Occident. It was, at various times of its life, a diplomat, an adventurer, a mercenary and a statesman.

Biography

In 1259 Benedetto Zaccaria and its Manuel brother go in the East and obtain in stronghold Byzantine emperor the territory of Phocée which conceals important layers of Alun. They organize the traffic of alum with the République of Genoa and fight against the pirates of the Aegean Sea. In 1284, it is ordering fleet of Genoa which beats the République of Pisa to the battles of Meloria.

In 1286, Benedetto Zaccaria continues until Tunis Pisans pirates. The political offices that it then occupies with Tripoli of Syria make it possible him to pursue the Moslem pirates. The king de Castille grants to him then in stronghold Puerto Santa Maria, vis-a-vis Cadiz, quoted which will be used as stopovers with its ships going in the Atlantique. Philippe Beautiful the names it admiral of its built fleet with Rouen.

Concerned about improve the technique of navigation, he invented the sensile , a novel method of maintenance of the oars on the galères which made it possible to sit three men on the same bench. This technique was going quickly to be essential as well in the East as in Occident. Set out again in the East, it seizes Chios, that the emperor concedes to him in stronghold (1303), obtaining the monopoly of cement.

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