Afonso de Albuquerque (Alhandra ca. 1453 - December 16, 1515, at sea), commonly known as Albuquerque the Great, "O Grande" (Portuguese: Afonso de Albuquerque, also spelt Aphonso d'Albuquerque and Alfonso), was a Portuguese general, and a "great conqueror", a statesman, and a leading empire builder. He became known as "the Terrible", "the Great", "the Caesar of the East", "Lion of the Seas", and "the Portuguese Mars".