Gold is power, gold is the life-blood of trade.
William Cobbett
The legend of El Dorado began with tales of a golden king who covered himself in gold dust and washed it off in a sacred lake.
Spanish explorers in the 1500s believed a city of gold existed deep in the jungles of South America. Many expeditions tried to find it, but they only discovered new lands and indigenous civilizations.
The myth drove European exploration and even led to conflicts over wealth and territory. Today, El Dorado symbolizes the human desire for riches and the dangers of greed.
The story of El Dorado teaches us about ambition and the impact of myths on real-world history and exploration.
Vocabulary Bank:
- Expedition – Ekspedisi
- Legendary – Legendaris
- Indigenous – Pribumi
- Territory – Wilayah
- Greed – Keserakahan
Soal:
Why do you think people are so drawn to the idea of hidden treasures?
