or Afonso the Great
born 1453, Alhandra, near Lisbon
died Dec. 15, 1515, at sea, off Goa, India
Portuguese soldier, conqueror of Goa (1510) and of Melaka (1511).
He gained military experience as a soldier in North Africa for 10 years but made his reputation fighting in Asia. He paved the way for Portuguese domination in Southeast Asia through efforts to gain control of all the main maritime trade routes of the East and to build permanent fortresses with settled populations. His conquests were inspired by the Crusading spirit of King John II, rather than by considerations of mercantile gain.