Adamastor (in Greek "imitative rival of Adam") was used by the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões in his epic poem Os Lusíadas, as a symbol of the forces of nature Portuguese navigators had to overcome during their discoveries. Camões gave his creation a history as one of the Gigantes of Greek mythology who had been spurned by Thetis, now appearing in the form of a threatening stormcloud to Vasco da Gama and threatening ruin to anyone hardy enough to pass the Cape and penetrate the Indian Ocean, which was Adamaster's domain. Adamastor became the Spirit of the Cape, a hideous phantom of unearthly pallor: It has been suggested that Adam (prophet of Islam) be merged into this article or section. ... Luís de Camões Monument to Luís de Camões, Lisbon Luís Vaz de Camões (pron. ... In mathematics, see epic morphism. ... Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads) is considered one of the finest and most important works in Portuguese literature. ... For additional context, see History of Portugal. ... In Greek mythology, the Gigantes were a race of giants. ... // Greek mythology consists in part in a large collection of narratives that explain the origins of the world and detail the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines. ... This article is about the Greek sea nymph. ... Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama (IPA: ; born c. ... The Cape of Good Hope; looking towards the west, from the coastal cliffs above Cape Point. ...

"Even as I spoke, an immense shape

Materialised in the night air,

Grotesque and enormous stature

With heavy jowls, and an unkempt beard

Scowling from shrunken, hollow eyes

Its complexion earthy and pale,

Its hair grizzled and matted with clay,

Its mouth coal black, teeth yellow with decay. —Camões, The Lusiads Canto V.

Adamastor represented the dangers Portuguese sailors faced when trying to round the Cape of Storms, henceforth called, in consequence of the resultant success in despite thereof, Cape of Good Hope. The Cape of Good Hope; looking towards the west, from the coastal cliffs above Cape Point. ...

Adamastor has figured in much poetry of the Cape. In The First Life of Adamastor, a novella by André Brink, the writer refashioned the Adamastor story from a 20th-century perspective.

External link

• Cyril Coetzee, "Myth of Adamaster revisited"

Adamastor was also the name of a cruiser in the Portuguese navy. The Adamastor was built in Italy using the revenue of a national subscription made after the British ultimatum to Portugal in 1890. It played an important role in the republican revolution of October 5, 1910, being one of the two revolting cruisers. In 1934 it was decommissioned and sold to the merchant marine. USS Port Royal, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, launched in 1994. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... October 5 is the 278th day of the year (279th in Leap years). ... 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

References

J.C. Pereira ed., Dicionário Ilustrado da História de Portugal (Lisbon: Alfa, 1985).