Simon Mattacks
speaker
2,982 appearances
18 recordings
3 series
first heard Dec 2024
last heard yesterday
Simon Mattacks’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
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recordings per month · last 12 monthsRecordings per month over the last 12 months — 15 in all, peaking in Sep 2026 with 3.
Appearances
In fact, by the time of Dacruz's account, the kingdom and the strait had come under Portuguese control.
To understand how this happened, let's go back to the beginning of the 16th century.
At this time, there was a power struggle in the kingdom of Hormuz, a family dispute over succession.
Meanwhile, over in Europe, Portugal had become a major colonial power.
The Portuguese Empire controlled vast amounts of territory across the world, including parts of the Americas and Africa.
Navigators had also explored the Indian Ocean.
Portugal was aware just how much there was to be gained from controlling the waterways in this part of the world.
By capturing strategic locations such as Hormuz, Portugal could become even more powerful and wealthy.
Portugal first seized control of Hormuz in 1507.
It was an impressive achievement, considering that by the time the Portuguese fleet arrived in Hormuz, after months of travel and numerous other battles, they had just a few warships.
The ships and the men were not in the best condition.
Portuguese troops were then ordered to build a fortress on Hormuz.
But, already exhausted and struggling in the harsh climate, the men mutinied.
The Portuguese captain, Alfonso de Albuquerque, was forced to abandon the project and leave Hormuz.
But the decision clearly rankled.
It's said that Albuquerque vowed not to cut his beard until Hormuz was conquered.
And in 1515, with a much stronger fleet, Albuquerque returned to Hormuz.
He negotiated with the young ruler Turan Shah, who was compelled to accept Portuguese control.
This time, there was no battle.
The Portuguese flag was raised over Hormuz.
Showing 2641–2660 of 2,982 · page 133 of 150
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