Abstract

Portugal and Spain created, within a few decades, two empires on which «the sun never set». The closeness and the sharing of the experience of the Reconquista are just some of the elements that Subrahmanyam presents in order to highlight the long phase of mutual influence. From America to Asia, from Mexico to India's shores, the historian of the University of California points out how the constant dialogue between ruling class and operators of the two empires has encouraged the development of similar institutions of political choices.