A commemorative medal honoring *Luis de Camões*, composer of the "Lusiad," as a celebrator of Portuguese exploration and discovery
He is honored for celebrating new fields of Catholic missionary activity
His youth is full of romantic escapades, and this might be one; or it might be allegorical
Fighting in Morocco in the Battle of Ceuta in 1542, he loses an eye
In 1552 he wounds a courtier, and is imprisoned for a time
In the late 1560's he is shipwrecked near the Mekong River, but legendarily swims to shore clutching his manuscript
He meditates, seeing visions of his masterpiece
At length he completes the poem
He holds up the published book (1572) with a flourish; the right panel shows the cover design of the original edition
He reflects on the episodes described in his poem
As he reads aloud from his great work to his patron, King Sebastian, he joins the company of Cervantes, Dante, Tolstoi, Victor Hugo, Shakespeare and Sophocles
He dies in 1580, in Lisbon
He and his book span the globe
He becomes an enduring symbol of Portuguese identity and pride
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