The Philippine dynasty (Portuguese: Dinastia Filipina), also known as the Third Dynasty of Portugal (Portuguese: Terceira Dinastia) is the name given to the House of Habsburg (Portuguese: Casa de Habsburgo, Casa da Áustria) in the context of its rule of Portugal between 1581 and 1640, during which Portugal was one of the many possessions of the Spanish Monarchy in what has been dubbed by historians as the "Iberian Union". It consisted of three kings: Philip I (the dynasty's founder and namesake per Portuguese historiographical tradition), Philip II and Philip III.
The history of Portugal from the 1580 succession crisis to the House of Braganza monarchs was a period of transition. At its beginning, under the House of Aviz, the Portuguese Empire spice trade was near its height. It continued to enjoy widespread influence after Vasco da Gama reached the East Indies by sailing around Africa in 1497–1498. Vasco da Gama's achievement completed the exploratory efforts inaugurated by Henry the Navigator, and opened an oceanic route for the profitable spice trade into Europe that bypassed the Middle East.
