4. Vasco da Gama This famous Portuguese explorer successfully reached India in 1498, thus eliminating the spice trade monopoly the Muslims had previously enjoyed.
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7. Antonio de Gouvela “Bad Christian” and “Saver of Himself” As a corrupt Priest and opportunist, he scandalized the Christian gentry and native Indians in Portugal and the colonial frontiers of Brazil and was presented to the Lisbon Inquisition on charges of outrageous and unethical behavior. Although he was sent back to Portugal and interrogated by the inquisitors, he was not found to be an imposter, however, he remained incarcerated and was not allowed to be released to prove his innocence. Gouvela lived by his wits and “tried his hand at a number of vocations in superficial ways that were foreign to moral principles.”
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