Duke of Caxias: The Last Duke of the Brazilian Empire

In 1869, Dom Pedro II granted Brazil’s final ducal title to Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, formally naming him Duke of Caxias. Far from a mere honorary gesture, this moment symbolized the twilight of Brazil’s imperial aristocracy. Caxias was not only a military genius—he embodied the monarchical ideal of loyalty, order, and centralized authority. As the last living Brazilian to receive such a title, he stood as a towering figure of an empire whose days were already numbered.

Artwork: SK

Born in 1803 into a military family, Caxias forged his reputation through the suppression of regional revolts that threatened imperial unity. He crushed the Balaiada, the Farroupilha Revolution, and the Sabinada—always with the iron hand of centralization. While hailed as a "Peacemaker," his peace was often enforced through martial law and coercion. The title of Duke came not only as reward but also as farewell—a symbol of a past that had reached its political and moral limits.

The Paraguayan War would become the final campaign of Caxias’ military career. He led decisive victories, including the occupation of Asunción, but by 1869, weary and disillusioned, he resigned. That same year, he was made Duke—a timing that was anything but accidental. It marked both an apex and an ending: Caxias was honored as the empire’s most loyal defender, just as its foundation began to erode. In the crumbling prestige of the monarchy, the ducal title shone as a brief flare in the dusk.

Caxias died in 1880, unaware that less than a decade later, the monarchy he had upheld would fall. The Republic abolished noble titles, but not his legacy. The Brazilian Army claimed him as its patron, transforming a symbol of monarchy into one of military continuity. From monarchist general to Republican myth, Caxias’ journey through history reveals how heroes are adapted to serve new regimes and new narratives.

Today, the name “Caxias” graces streets, statues, schools, and cities. Revered by institutions and embedded in national rituals, the last Duke lives on. Yet few remember that his ducal honor marked the end of nobility in Brazil. His elevation was not just a reward—it was a historical punctuation, signaling that the era of titles, bloodlines, and imperial grandeur had reached its end.

🔎 Did you know?

Despite commanding the most powerful army of his time, Caxias never tried to seize political power. He rejected multiple offers to stage a coup and remained loyal to the Emperor until his quiet retirement—a rare example of military restraint in 19th-century Latin America.

📚 References

• Barman, Roderick J. Citizen Emperor: Pedro II and the Making of Brazil, 1825–1891. Stanford University Press.

• Kraay, Hendrik. Days of National Festivity in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1823–1889. Stanford University Press.

• Brazilian Army Archives – Centro de Comunicação Social do Exército.

• Brazilian Historical and Geographical Institute (IHGB).