History of Portugal

The history of Portugal traces the peoples, institutions, and territory that formed the Portuguese kingdom and modern state, including its overseas empire and later decolonization.

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Roman Lusitania: A Roman province in the western Iberian Peninsula, established during Rome’s conquest of the region. Its territory and institutions formed part of the Roman inheritance of Portugal.
Avis Dynasty: A Portuguese royal dynasty that ruled from 1385 to 1580. Its rise after a succession crisis strengthened royal authority and launched overseas expansion.
Afonso I of Portugal: The first king of Portugal, who ruled from 1139 until 1185. His campaigns and kingship established the independent Portuguese monarchy.
Portuguese Discoveries: The Portuguese-sponsored voyages and maritime expansion that connected Europe with Atlantic and Indian Ocean routes from the fifteenth century. These voyages began the expansion that made Portugal a global imperial power.
Kingdom of León: A medieval Christian kingdom in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, from which Portugal’s ruling county became independent. Portugal emerged from León’s political orbit rather than through a unified Iberian monarchy.
Suebi Kingdom: A post-Roman kingdom established by the Suebi in Gallaecia, in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Its rule shaped the northwest before Portugal emerged as a kingdom.
Portuguese Empire: An overseas empire built by Portugal from the fifteenth century, with territories and trading posts across several continents. Imperial expansion redirected Portugal’s resources and connected its history to global commerce.
John I of Portugal: The founder of Portugal’s Avis Dynasty, who ruled from 1385 to 1433. His victory in the succession crisis secured the new dynasty and independence.
Atlantic Slave Trade: The forced transportation of millions of Africans across the Atlantic for enslavement in the Americas. Portuguese traders and ships were central to the trade’s early development and long operation.
Crown of Castile: A composite monarchy that became the principal political power in central Iberia during the late medieval and early modern periods. Castile’s growing power repeatedly framed Portugal’s diplomacy and independence.