The captivating story of the world's first global maritime superpower

The Shortest History of Portugal is a lively journey from prehistoric times to the present day. It traces invaders and locals from Celtiberians and Phoenicians through Romans, Germanic tribes and Islamic dynasties, to the formation of Portugal as a Christian entity.

A country fought over and reinvented, through revolts and reforms, religious tolerance and persecution, maritime exploration, empire and the brutal birth of the transatlantic slave trade, The Shortest History of Portugal tells the story of conquest, dictatorship, revolution and democracy.

Table of Contents

1. Ancient Origins
2. Christians, 'Moors' and More Christians
3. Maritime Exploration and Empire
4. Invasions, Revolts and Reforms
5. Republic, Coups and Dictatorship
6. Revolution, Democracy and 'Europe'

Alison Roberts has worked as a journalist, writer and translator for more than 30 years. She has written for the Financial Times, Bloomberg News and Time Out. She now works as a freelance writer and lives in Lisbon, Portugal.