Latest / The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History
Portugal's Spice Monopoly: How Pepper Built an Empire
In the early 16th century, Portugal held a monopoly on the global spice trade, controlling the flow of pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg from Asia to Europe. This episode explores how the Estado da Índia managed this lucrative network through fortified feitorias, naval patrols, and royal licenses. Lucas and Luna delve into the operations of the Casa da Índia, the Lisbon spice market, and the impact of the Moluccan spice routes. They discuss the role of the cartaz system, the rise of smuggling, and the eventual decline as Dutch and English competition emerged. Key figures include Afonso de…
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