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IMC 2011: Sessions

Session 603: Artillery in the Foundation of Portuguese Overseas Empire

Tuesday 12 July 2011, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Centro de História de Além-Mar, Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Organiser:João Paulo Oliveira e Costa, Centro de História de Além-Mar (CHAM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Moderator/Chair:João Paulo Oliveira e Costa, Centro de História de Além-Mar (CHAM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Paper 603-aNew Cannons Meet Old Castles: The Portuguese Book of the Fortresses of Duarte de Armas
(Language: English)
Luís Miguel Duarte, Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto / Centro de Investigação Transdisciplinar 'Cultura, Espaço e Memória'
Index terms: Architecture - General, Art History - General, Military History, Social History
Paper 603-bNaval Artillery and Portuguese Military Superiority in the Indian Ocean during the First Decades of the 16th Century
(Language: English)
Vítor Luís Gaspar Rodrigues, Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Index terms: Islamic and Arabic Studies, Maritime and Naval Studies, Military History, Social History
Paper 603-cArtillery and 'Transition Style' Fortresses in the Founding of Portuguese Overseas Empire, 1415-1530
(Language: English)
André Pinto de Sousa Dias Teixeira, Centro de História de Além-Mar (CHAM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Index terms: Archaeology - Sites, Architecture - General, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Military History
Abstract

Portugal built an overseas empire from the 1440s to the 1550s. The Discoveries opened new markets and made possible new businesses, as well as they opened new areas for evangelization. This empire was challenged since the beginning by European rivals, mostly Castille, and fighted the muslims in Morocco and in India. Fire arms were decisive for the growing of Portuguese Expansion, particularly naval artillery. At the same time, the new positions obtained overseas had to be defended by fortresses adjusted to the new era. Our panel aims to discuss the military innovations that made possible the building of Portuguese Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries.