The discovery of the cape by Hercules's Pillars was owing to the invention of the compass, which permitted them to leave the coast of Africa, and to launch out into the vast ocean, in order to sail towards the island of St. Helena, or towards the coast of Brazil.
Herkulesen zutabeetatik abiatzen zirenek lurmuturra aurkitu ahal izateko, iparrorratza asmatzea zen beharrezko. Horri esker, Afrikako kostatik aldendu eta ozeano zabalean barrena nabigatu ahal izan zen, Santa Helenako uharterantz edo Brasilgo kostarantz.