VASCO GIL DA CRUZ SOARES MANTAS was born in Lisbon in 1942. Secondary education in Évora, Faro and Lisbon. He served in the cavalry between 1964 and 1977. Graduated from the National Defense Course at the National Defense Institute (1991-1992). Trained in space remote sensing in Toulouse (1983). PhD in Archaeology from the University of Coimbra, with distinction and unanimous praise in 1997. Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Coimbra, where he taught from 1977 until his retirement in 2008. He carried out archaeological work in Idanha-a-Velha, Conímbriga and the Roman villa of São Cucufate (Vidigueira). Coordinator of the City of Ammaia Project (Marvão), as an advisor to the University of Évora (1997 to 2006). His research focuses on the history and archaeology of Rome and maritime history. He has published more than 200 articles. He was coordinator of CRUP's Inter-University Archaeology Commission and is an integrated researcher at the Centre for Classical and Humanistic Studies at the University of Coimbra and a collaborator at the National Museum of Roman Art, Mérida. He is a Merit Member of the Portuguese Academy of History, an Emeritus Member of the Navy Academy, the Joaquim Veríssimo Serrão Research Centre and other scientific and civic institutions.