What were the main motives of Europeans for undertaking voyages of exploration?

The main motives of Europeans for undertaking voyages of exploration during the Age of Discovery, which began in the early 15th century, were often summarized by historians as "God, Gold, and Glory":

1. God: The spread of Christianity was a powerful motivation for many explorers. European nations, particularly Spain and Portugal, were largely driven by a desire to convert non-Christian populations across the world. The Catholic Church also encouraged exploration as a means to spread the faith and counter the spread of Islam.

2. Gold: The pursuit of wealth was a significant incentive for exploration. Europeans were looking for new trade routes to Asia to acquire precious commodities such as spices, silk, and gold. The closure of traditional land routes to Asia due to political changes, like the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453, gave an added impetus to find alternate sea routes. Discovering new lands also provided opportunities for the extraction of resources and establishment of colonies.

3. Glory: National pride and personal fame played a major part in driving explorers to venture into the unknown. Explorers like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan became national heroes, their names echoing through history. Nations competed for territorial claims, and individual explorers sought recognition, status, and titles from their sovereigns.

In addition to these primary motives, technological advancements such as improved navigation techniques, better ship designs (like the caravel), and the invention of the magnetic compass and the astrolabe allowed European sailors to venture further than before. Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge about the world also motivated explorers and the European societies that supported them.