Who Was Alive in 1496

Christopher ColumbusAge 45

1451–1506 · Exploration

Sailed to the Americas in 1492

Leonardo da VinciAge 44

1452–1519 · Art

Mona Lisa, Renaissance polymath

Niccolò MachiavelliAge 27

1469–1527 · Philosophy & Thought

Author of The Prince

Vasco da GamaAge 27

1469–1524 · Exploration

First European to reach India by sea

Nicolaus CopernicusAge 23

1473–1543 · Science & Invention

Heliocentric model of the solar system

MichelangeloAge 21

1475–1564 · Art

Sistine Chapel, David sculpture

Ferdinand MagellanAge 16

1480–1521 · Exploration

First circumnavigation of Earth

RaphaelAge 13

1483–1520 · Art

School of Athens, Renaissance master

Martin LutherAge 13

1483–1546 · Philosophy & Thought

Sparked the Protestant Reformation

Henry VIIIAge 5

1491–1547 · Politics & Leadership

King of England, six wives

Suleiman the MagnificentAge 2

1494–1566 · Politics & Leadership

Longest-reigning Ottoman sultan