Vasco da Gama led the first European voyage to directly reach India in 1497-1499. Sailing under King Manuel I of Portugal, da Gama's expedition established the first oceanic trade route between Europe and Asia, bypassing the Middle East. Upon returning to Portugal, da Gama loaded his ships with valuable spices and helped make Lisbon a center of European spice trade for centuries. However, da Gama also used violence against Arab and Indian ships and settlements, leaving the Portuguese with a poor reputation in the region.