3 These theories will not be debated here, since they have already been extensively presented in other published works. An agent-based approach, centred on the performance of individuals and groups, together with assumptions of the theories of cooperation and self-organization, have proved promising when proposing new interpretations of the processes of empire building. New perspectives have been suggested by Portuguese historians in their studies of seaport dynamics, 1 and the maritime logistics (technical means, agents, knowledge), 2 driven by a focus on micro rather than macro analysis, and by a scrutiny on people as actors, and not only on structures and systems. The idea that this was a process driven by the state is still commonplace, yet the Portuguese crown lacked the financial sustainability and the institutional, bureaucratic and administrative apparatus needed to effectively control this process and to provide the logistics required by such enterprise. Maritime efficiency levels were paramount in order to ensure a successful enterprise.
During the sixteenth century, Portugal was the first European power to develop regular maritime routes, which allowed global exchanges.
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