The objective of this dissertation is to study the second emperor of Brazil, Pedro de Alcântara, as a public figure, emphasizing his role as an intellectual and not as a monarch. Consequently, the dissertation will re- evaluate some of theoretical discourses of the so-colled incompatibilities between the European and the Brazilian political, social and cultural traditions and values during the eighteenth century. Using different epistemological approaches, including an account and understanding of the social context of Rio de Janeiro, the seat of the imperial court, the current proposal offers a new perspective on his public image as an intellectual. The dissertation demonstrates that Pedro de Alcântara can be identified as an illuminist considering his in-depth interest for the fine arts and science, and his contributions to these areas not only as a researcher, but also as an active sponsor. In this regard the dissertation puts a particular emphasis on the two D. Pedro de Alcântara`s travels to Egypt in 1871 through 1872 an again 1876 though 1877. Based upon the analysis of the emperor` diaries, the research illustrates how he interacted with European intellectual vision concerning the ancient society that prospered on the banks of the River Nile, and also with the imperialistic political attempts to colonize Egypt, fact strictly connected to the way the history of Egypt was narrated by its recent colonizers.